Free parking for an hour is to be trialled by Erewash Borough Council at two of its town centre car parks.
There will be no charge for brief-stay motorists using sites in Northgate Street in Ilkeston and New Street in Long Eaton.
The experiment – aimed at encouraging shoppers who will need to get a voucher from machines – comes after the cash-squeezed council was forced to look at parking tariffs across the borough.
From 15th April, the current £1 fee for three hours will rise 50p to £1.50. Motorists parking for three hours or more will pay £4 – up from £3.
At Long Eaton Train Station, the £4 a day tariff will rise to £5.50. Those parking there for over 48 hours and up to six days will see an increase from £15 to £19.50.
Borough Council Leader, Councillor James Dawson said: “The council continues to suffer from savage reductions in the funding it gets from government, which is why we have had to look at car park fees.
“While we have managed to avoid going into the red in terms of our budget for the coming year, it has forced difficult choices on us.
“We know paying more for parking will not be popular with car users – but many only need to leave their car for an hour as they nip into town.
“The free parking will be something that will come as a welcome boost.”