• New centre means residents do not have to travel long distances for testing

• London Road car park will be used for the site which is due to be in operation for at least three months

• Move is designed to encourage testing and keep the case numbers low in North West Leicestershire

• No negative impact predicted due to lack of car parking space

North West Leicestershire District Council has given details of the Covid-19 Walk-in Testing Centre in London Road car park in Coalville.

The centre is due to be in operation from November 9 and is set to remain in place for at last three months - well into the new year.

That means it is unavailable for parking from 10pm on Saturday, October 31, to enable work to begin on Tuesday.

The centre will be managed by Public Health England.

North West Leicestershire District Council says a testing centre in Coalville is of huge benefit to the town, meaning people do not have to travel large distances to get a test should they show symptoms.

The Council adds: "In the long run this will encourage more local people to get tested when they show symptoms, helping us to track the virus and keep cases down in North West Leicestershire.

"We are contacting nearby businesses and residents directly by hand-delivered letter as a courtesy to make them aware of the testing centre and the resulting closure of London Road car park.

"London Road car park will close at 10pm on Saturday evening and work to prepare the site will begin next week, with the temporary testing centre expected to be up and running from Monday, November 9.

"All other council car parks remain unaffected, including the others that immediately surround the council offices.

"As you know, large numbers of staff - and indeed our members - continue to work from home and therefore aren't using car parking spaces around the offices.

"As a result, we don't expect there to be any negative impact on the ability for shoppers and visitors to find a space in that area of town.

"Please note, the testing centre is designed to be a walk-in centre – not a 'drive thru'.

"It will operate between the hours of 8am and 8pm seven days a week and invites people to be tested on an appointment-only basis, meaning the number of people at the site is always limited.

"Signage will be erected near to the site to clearly direct people to the testing centre if they have an appointment."