[dropcap type =”circle”]F[/dropcap]ree parking will be temporarily introduced across car parks operated by Cherwell District Council to support Small Business Saturday and the January sales.
On Saturday, 3 December car parking charges will be waived across council operated car parks in Banbury and Bicester to encourage shoppers to support Small Business Saturday.
Then throughout January drivers will be able to park for free after 3pm as Cherwell lends its support to the January sales and the post-Christmas trade.
Cllr George Reynolds, Cherwell’s deputy leader, said: “We know there is demand for free parking all year round but as this is not currently viable we are looking at other ways we can show our support for the town centres.
“Small Business Saturday is all about giving independent traders the platform to show off what they have to offer and encouraging shoppers to explore their unique range of goods. In the run up to Christmas it’s the perfect opportunity to browse for the perfect present and we are hoping the free parking initiative will entice even more people into the town to support their local businesses at this crucial time of year.
“In addition to Small Business Saturday we are extending the season of goodwill into 2017 and providing free parking after 3pm for the entire month of January. We hope it will tempt people into town to make the most of the sales and maintain high levels of footfall in the town.”
For Small Business Saturday signs will be displayed at the entrance to car parks and at the ticket machines advertising free parking on Saturday, 3 December.
Following this, further signage and posters will be displayed from 1 – 31 January inclusive promoting free parking every day from 3pm.
Car parking charges currently apply in Cherwell District Council’s Banbury and Bicester car parks between 8am and 7pm. There is no charge to park in Kidlington car parks as these are covered by a covenant preventing fees being introduced.
Participating Cherwell District Council car parks will be clearly signed. As it is not a car park, the Bridge Street drop off point in Banbury will not be included in the promotion.
Normal parking charges will apply between 8am and 3pm and all car parks will remain subject to the standard regulations such as time restrictions.
For more information on Cherwell District Council’s car parks including details of participating car parks visit www.cherwell.gov.uk/carparks