Council offers free parking to shop local this Christmas
Five days of free parking in town centre car parks has been announced by New Forest District Council (NFDC) to help residents shop local in the approach to Christmas.
Parking will be free in all NFDC town and village car parks on Saturday 5 December, this year’s Small Business Saturday. Parking will also be free on Christmas shopping weekends Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December, and the last weekend before Christmas, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December.
Cllr Edward Heron, portfolio holder for planning and infrastructure said; “By offering five days of free parking we’re encouraging our residents to shop local where possible this Small Business Saturday, and in the run up to Christmas. Free Christmas parking days have proved popular over the past few years both with our residents, and local shops and business. This year, where government restrictions on shopping allow, it’s even more important that you support small businesses and please shop local, safely, where you can.”
Free Christmas parking days are being provided as part of a wider range of parking incentives to boost the local economy, including freezing the costs of most parking charges in the district at the current rate for 2021. NFDC parking charges have not been increased since 2018.
The cost of season tickets (parking clocks) and pay and display tariffs in most town and village car parks will remain the same*. Parking charges at seafront car parks will be frozen at 2020 prices out of season, with small increases of £1 per tariff** applied during the spring and summer visitor season from 1 April to 30 September 2021.
Cllr Heron added “We’re continuing to support local businesses throughout 2021 by once again freezing most parking charges for another year at 2018 rates. Our range of parking clocks continue to provide excellent value for those who use our car parks often. Starting at just £25 for an annual short stay clock, you can use all our town and village car parks for less than 50p a week, helping to make our towns and villages even more welcoming to shoppers, workers and other visitors.”
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