Having written extensively about businesses in Harborne that you should either check out (or avoid)…read moreI felt it only fair to devote a few words to that thorniest of thorny topics - for car drivers of the region at least - car parking in the High Street. Now, its probably worth noting here that I am a passionate bus goer and proud owner of a monthly bus-pass so car parking is never that much of an issue to me - unless of course I'm being driven around and then it becomes a little more pertinent (I'm off on a tangent here but if you're planing on driving to Bridgnorth all I can say is DON'T - they have naff all in terms of car-parking spaces and the hunt for one will drive you completely mad) but I know from friends and also from reading the Harborne Society Newsletter this is very much a concern. In no particular order then, here are places you might want to leave your car: a) the car-park behind Sainsbury's - for two pounds you can stay for up to 4 hours. If you can find a space - this is a popular choice b) the car-park behind Home Bargains (by Harborne Medical practise) - all day parking costs 3.30 although you will have to walk past the stinky public toilets to get back into the car park c) the car-park by Marks - also 3.30 for the day but usually packed with people loading up their shopping d) the car-park in Waitrose - free but only for use by Waitrose customers. Staff do check and you will be fined if you stay longer than an hour e) the car-parks by the Green Man and The Old Proverbial - again for use by customers only but both pretty spacious and secure Or you could attempt to park in one of the residential streets - not a chance at weekends of being able to get anywhere near the the High Street I'm afraid or do as I do and leave the car at home and jump on a 22,23,24,29,636 or 448 instead - all of which serve the High Street and with the exception of the 636 (which is actually the bane of my life) all pretty reliable. Failing that there is a taxi rank just by Zizzi at the top end of the High Street which is served by TOA.

A centrally located multi storey car park in the heart of Brum city centre, with the car park being…read moreclosely situated to the Mailbox and Town Hall. This is my car park of choice when visiting the city, simply because it is cheaper than its neighbouring car parks and there are always spaces available. The charges are reasonable too charging customers £3.40 for three hours and £3 after 6pm as long as you are out by 2am. On Sundays it's a mere £3 all day - bargain! Car park operates 24 hours too! Result!

There is always space at this car park, right in the centre and just far enough to be forgotten…read moreabout by people picking a car park to head too. Its big and ugly but it does the job ok, navigation is simple and its right on top of the mailbox so its nice when dining out. Parking can range from £3-£6 for a few hours or a days parking on sunday for £3.00. Bit of a walk from the Bullring but worth it if you want to dodge the rush.

Funny one, I know. Reviewing a car park. Bit nerdy too. But ever the practical person that I am…read moreand also never one to miss out on best value I'm passing on my tip for parking. I realise it's also a chain, but this car park is very handy and much better value than many others In the area. If you go to the cinema on Broad street you get up to 3 hours free, which is very handy indeed. It's never been full whenever we've been, even when others nearby have been. You pay on leaving, so don't need to rummage round the car trying to find any loose change either. Even at Christmas time I have always managed to find a parking place. Don't use the lifts here though, someone I used to work with got stuck in one once and the emergency button didn't work. They had to call their office to get someone to contact euro parks for help!

A handy car park that is located just around the corner from the Five Ways Cineworld cinema…read more What's even more handier is that you get free car parking for three hours, after watching your film - bonus! Just get your ticket validated inside the cinema.

I regularly park in this car park and the constant presence of staff is very reassuring. They…read morebattle against rubbish and urinating in the stairwell at the ground level but the car park itself is well lit, the spaces a decent size and charges are reasonable. For some reason there are two car parks opposite each other both with the same name (which is confusing) but they are almost identical in the way they are run. Staff are friendly and efficient and constantly patrolling

Ooohhh, this is a classy car park. The lifts are all shiny and the stairwells are clean and urine…read morefree. It is, without doubt, Birmingham's most prestigious multi-storey car park. Alas, it has a fundamental flaw. And I say this having once spent 2.5 hours trying to exit it. It was HELL. We left a show at the Crescent Theatre at the exact same time as thousands of people leaving a Peter Kay show at the nearby NIA. We were parked on the third floor and it took us nearly three hours to make it down to ground level. Car park staff offered no explanation and they didn't offer any compensation as we left. Essentially, we paid £8.60 to sit in a traffic jam - though I did nip out of the car to buy Ribena and a Ginsters. It was a horrid experience (Ribena and pasty aside). As a result, I now hate this car park, Peter Kay and people who pay to go and see Peter Kay. Park there by all means (it is a nice car park), just make sure you time your exit not to clash with kicking out time at the NIA

Secure and well located for nearby entertainment venues. But parking spaces very narrow and a bit…read morepricey. Top tip - don't queue at outside payment machines when you return - go to machine + manned kiosk inside foyer.

This car park is conveniently placed for exploring Centenary Square, Brindley Place, Symphony Hall…read moreand Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Being a council-run car park means that it is reasonably priced (£8.20 for 24 hours), though perhaps slightly rougher around the edges than the nearby Mailbox and Brindley Place car parks. It is a fairly generic 1960 concrete structure with 611 spaces. You can easily walk from the car park out onto Centenary Square, making it a great starting point for a day or evening at the Christmas Markets.

Paradise Circus is grim (see my review) so the car park to it is exactly the same. Watch out for…read morethe homeless guys dotted in and around the place. You can get to the ICC and Symphony Hall easily from here which is good if your into that kind of stuff. Theres a lot of spaces and this place is normally filled with commuters but you'll be able to find a space easily on week days. Its £8.20 for an all day ticket 7 days a week.

This is a really great shopping centre with plenty of stores that are close to Smethwick town…read morecentre and so access is really easy and if the large car park is full there are other parking options available for those who do not mind a short walk. The centre contains Priceless Shoes, Carphone Warehouse, Peacocks, Asda and a very large Matalan as well as an indoor market. It is ideally located and you do not have to pay for parking. The centre is always monitored by wardens and helpful shopworkers.

Often very busy but a range of shops with an asda, matalan, pure gym etc…read more Parking can be very difficult (and dangerous) at peak times.

If I'm driving and have to go into Selfridges, this is the car park of choice. It's not cheap, but…read moreit's enormously convenient. You can actually go up and over the bridge into Selfridges without stepping outside which is obviously a fantastic plus when it's raining or even when it's cold. Although fairly common place now, this was one of the car parks I knew of where I can pay by card and when it's comes to over £10, who has that kind of change in their pocket? Opening times Monday - Saturday 7.30am - 10pm Sunday 9am - 8pm

fancy car park, does what it says on the tin, Very secure... charges stupid prices because its…read moreattached to Selfridges. There a car park down the road which is £2.50 all day or 70p an hour!