Free Preston city centre car parking announced for run-up to Christmas

car-parks630

Free parking in the run up to Christmas has been announced by Preston City Council.

Shoppers will be able to park for free on certain days and evenings at city centre car parks, including free parking during the Christmas Lights switch-on.

A letter from Preston’s Business Improvement District (BID) triggered the council to again act to ensure Christmas in the city centre is busy, and avoid “haemorrhaging visitors to shopping areas outside of the city centre that offer free parking at all times.”

Councillor Robert Boswell, cabinet member for community and environment, took the decision to approve free parking – although it is expected to cost the council around £7,000 in lost income based on last year’s estimates.

The council currently loses £120,000 operating car parks in the city.

A report by council officers states: “The offer of free customer parking on the approach to Christmas is seen as an important part of the package of measures that are put in place to both stimulate demand for local businesses and best manage the impacts of this demand on the highway network and car park facilities.”

It goes on to state if free parking is not provided there could be times when customers end up parking on roads in the city centre instead, blocking traffic.

Two city centre car parks will be free:

Bus Station free car park times

Saturday 16 November 2013 from noon (for the Lights Switch On)

Wednesday 27 November 2013 after 15.00hrs (if confirmed as a late opening night)

Thursday 28 November 2013 after 15.00hrs (if confirmed as a late opening night)

Sunday 1 December 2013 all day

Wednesday 4 December 2013 after 15.00hrs

Thursday 5 December 2013 after 15.00hrs

Wednesday 11 December 2013 after 15.00hrs

Thursday 12 December 2013 after 15.00hrs

Market Hall car park free parking times:

Wednesday 27 November 2013 after 15.00hrs (if confirmed as a late opening night)