Find the Right Metrocentre Car Park Before You Arrive
Metrocentre has almost 10,000 parking spaces. In addition, its main colour-zoned car parks are free during centre opening hours.
However, each parking area suits a different type of visit. Therefore, choosing your zone before you drive can save time, walking and unnecessary confusion.
DURING CENTRE HOURS
Quick Answer: Metrocentre Gateshead Parking
Metrocentre’s main colour-zoned car parks are currently free during centre opening hours. Moreover, normal customer time limits do not apply in those main parking areas.
However, Metro Retail Park and MetrOasis use different rules. Both locations have a four-hour maximum stay.
Therefore, check the exact car park before starting a long visit. For example, a shopping trip followed by dinner and a film can easily last longer than four hours.
Is Metrocentre Gateshead Parking Free?
Yes. The main Metrocentre colour-zoned car parks are free during centre opening hours.
In addition, the main customer parking areas do not have a normal time limit during those hours. As a result, you can shop, eat or visit the cinema without watching an hourly meter.
Free Parking Does Not Mean Unlimited Parking Everywhere
Different rules apply outside the main colour-zoned areas. Specifically, Metro Retail Park and MetrOasis have a four-hour maximum stay.
Therefore, read the entrance signs before walking away. Meanwhile, use a main centre car park when you expect a long visit.
Can You Leave the Car Overnight?
Metrocentre does not allow normal customer vehicles to stay overnight. Consequently, free daytime parking should not be treated as free overnight parking.
Metrocentre Parking Prices for 2026
The main parking price is simple. Main-centre customer parking currently costs £0 during centre opening hours.
Therefore, you do not need to compare hourly tariffs between Red, Green, Blue and Yellow. Instead, choose the zone that places you closest to your destination.
Main Centre Parking
Red, Green, Blue and Yellow
Main-centre parking is free during centre opening hours. Therefore, convenience matters more than price when choosing between these zones.
Metro Retail Park
A four-hour maximum stay applies. Therefore, use another suitable area if your visit may last longer.
MetrOasis
MetrOasis also has a four-hour maximum. Consequently, it may not suit an all-day visit.
Which Metrocentre Car Park Should You Choose?
The colour system makes Metrocentre easier to navigate. Therefore, choose the zone that matches your main destination before starting the drive.
Green Car Park
Green works well for Marks & Spencer and the Green Mall area. In addition, external Green parking gives straightforward access to that side of the centre.
Blue Car Park
Blue is useful for TK Maxx and HomeSense. Also, Shopmobility is located on Level 3 of Blue Multi-Storey.
Red Car Park
Red serves the Red Mall side of Metrocentre. Moreover, its multi-storey has the highest published clearance among the three main multi-storey options.
Yellow Car Park
Yellow is particularly useful for ODEON Cinema, restaurants and leisure venues. Therefore, it often makes sense for an evening visit.
Metrocentre Parking Zones Compared
Because the main zones are free, location is the main difference. However, vehicle height also matters if you plan to use a multi-storey car park.
| Zone | Cost | Best For | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Free | Marks & Spencer | Useful for Green Mall |
| Blue | Free | TK Maxx / HomeSense | 1.98m multi-storey limit |
| Red | Free | Red Mall side | 2.1m multi-storey limit |
| Yellow | Free | ODEON / food / leisure | 1.98m multi-storey limit |
Where Does the Four-Hour Parking Limit Apply?
The four-hour restriction does not apply to the main colour-zoned customer car parks. Instead, it applies at Metro Retail Park and MetrOasis.
Metro Retail Park
A maximum stay of four hours applies at Metro Retail Park. Therefore, check your arrival time if you plan to stay for several hours.
For example, a shopping trip followed by dinner may exceed the limit. In that case, a main-centre car park is a better fit.
MetrOasis
MetrOasis also uses a four-hour maximum stay. As a result, it should not be treated like the main Metrocentre parking areas.
Best Parking for a Long Metrocentre Visit
A combined shopping, dining and cinema visit can last many hours. Therefore, the main colour-zoned car parks are usually the simplest choice for a longer stay.
Shopping Followed by Dinner
Choose the zone closest to your final activity. For example, Yellow can make the walk back easier when your day finishes in a restaurant.
Shopping Followed by a Film
ODEON visitors should consider Yellow. In addition, choosing that zone can make a late return to the vehicle more straightforward.
Metrocentre Parking for Evening Visits
Restaurants and leisure venues can remain open after normal shopping hours. Consequently, evening visitors should plan the return journey as well as the arrival.
Parking for ODEON Cinema
Yellow is the main recommended zone for ODEON Cinema. Therefore, use it when the film is the final part of your visit.
Parking for Restaurants
Yellow also works well for many restaurants. However, the best space still depends on the venue you choose.
Check Late Access
Some internal mall routes may change after standard shop closing times. For that reason, follow the current signs when returning to your car.
Can You Park at Metrocentre Overnight?
No. Metrocentre does not permit overnight parking in its normal customer car parks.
Therefore, do not leave the vehicle overnight simply because daytime parking is free. Instead, choose a facility that clearly allows overnight stays.
If You Need Overnight Parking
First, check the opening and exit hours of the alternative car park. Next, confirm its overnight tariff and return rules.
Finally, use the exact facility address before travelling. As a result, you avoid arriving at a customer-only Metrocentre parking area by mistake.
Metrocentre Car Park Height Limits
Multi-storey height limits matter for vans and vehicles with roof equipment. Therefore, measure the total vehicle height before entering.
Blue Multi-Storey
Blue has a published height restriction of 1.98 metres. Consequently, some taller vans and vehicles with roof boxes may not fit.
Yellow Multi-Storey
Yellow also has a 1.98-metre height limit. Therefore, check your roof equipment before using the barrier.
Red Multi-Storey
Red has a higher published clearance of 2.1 metres. Nevertheless, very large vehicles should use the Coach Car Park instead.
Blue
Check the full vehicle height before entry. In particular, remember roof boxes and bike racks.
Yellow
The same restriction applies here. Therefore, taller vehicles should use another parking area.
Red
Red provides the highest listed multi-storey clearance. However, check the complete vehicle height before entering.
Where Should Motorhomes and Large Vehicles Park?
Metrocentre recommends the Coach Car Park for larger vehicles. For example, motorhomes may be better suited to its larger bays.
Coach Car Park Location
The Coach Car Park is on A1114 Riverside Way. In addition, the published postcode is NE11 9XX.
Therefore, enter that specific location into your navigation app. Doing so can make the final approach easier.
Disabled and Accessible Parking at Metrocentre
Accessible bays are available across the main parking network. However, current official information notes an exception for external Blue Mall parking.
Shopmobility
Shopmobility is located on Level 3 of Blue Multi-Storey. In addition, the service provides mobility equipment for visitors.
Step-Free Access
Passenger lifts connect the multi-storey parking levels with the shopping centre. Therefore, choose the zone nearest your main destination when walking distance matters.
Plan Before You Arrive
If an accessible bay is essential, check current information before travelling. Also, follow the disabled-parking signs when you reach the site.
Parent and Child Parking
Metrocentre provides a limited number of parent-and-child bays outside Red, Green, Blue and Yellow Mall.
Busy Periods
These wider spaces can fill during busy periods. Therefore, an earlier arrival may help at weekends or Christmas.
Choose the Nearest Zone
A shorter route can make pushchairs and child seats easier to manage. For that reason, match your parking zone with your main destination.
EV Charging at Metrocentre
Metrocentre currently lists more than 100 EV charging points. In addition, the network includes fast and rapid charging options.
Main Centre EV Chargers
Charging points are available in several main-centre parking areas. However, the charging cost is separate from the free-parking arrangement.
Retail Park and MetrOasis Chargers
Chargers at Metro Retail Park and MetrOasis are accessible 24/7. Nevertheless, the four-hour parking limit still applies in those parking areas.
Check the Charger Before Starting
Prices and operators can change. Therefore, check the charger screen or provider app before starting a session.
Motorbike Parking at Metrocentre
Dedicated motorbike bays are available in Red, Green and Yellow parking areas. Therefore, riders should check those zones first.
Choose by Destination
The same colour-zone logic still helps. For example, Yellow is useful when your main destination is ODEON or the leisure area.
Bicycle Parking at Metrocentre
Bicycle racks are available near the main Red, Green, Yellow and Blue entrances.
However, riders should bring their own lock or chain. In addition, choose a rack near the entrance you expect to use.
Metrocentre Park & Ride
A designated Park & Ride area operates from the Coach Car Park. Therefore, commuters should use that section rather than ordinary customer bays.
Parking Cost
Parking in the designated Park & Ride area is free. However, the onward bus journey has a separate fare.
Before You Travel
Check the current bus timetable and fare before setting out. In addition, confirm the correct Park & Ride stop for your journey.
Is Metrocentre Parking Secure?
Metrocentre says its car parks have achieved the Park Mark Safer Parking Award.
However, normal vehicle security still matters. Therefore, lock the doors, close every window and keep valuables out of view.
Remember Where You Parked
Take a quick photo of the colour, level and nearest entrance. As a result, finding the car later becomes much easier.
Parking at Christmas and Busy Weekends
Metrocentre has substantial parking capacity. Nevertheless, busy Saturdays, Christmas shopping and major sales can create queues near popular entrances.
Keep a Second Zone in Mind
If the nearest rows are full, continue to another suitable area. Therefore, you avoid wasting time by repeatedly circling one entrance.
Think About the Exit
The closest space is not always the quickest one when you leave. For example, a quieter row may offer an easier exit during peak traffic.
A Simple Metrocentre Parking Plan
A few decisions before arrival can make the visit much easier. Therefore, use the steps below before reaching the final junctions.
Metrocentre Parking Checklist
Before You Drive
After You Park
Metrocentre Gateshead Parking Map
The map below gives you a general view of Metrocentre. However, the site is large, so the general pin may not take you to your preferred colour zone.
Choose the Parking Zone First
First, decide which area is closest to your destination. Then, follow the current colour-coded signs when you arrive.
Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE11 9YG Open Google Maps
Official Metrocentre Parking Information
Parking rules can change after publication. Therefore, use the official Metrocentre pages for a final check.
Parking Rules
The official parking page explains free parking, colour zones, height restrictions and the four-hour limits.
EV Charging Information
EV charging details can also change. Therefore, check the official charging page before relying on a particular charger.