RESIDENTS and visitors are being encouraged to shop locally this festive season as Cornwall Council offers free parking on selected days in car parks across Cornwall, including plenty in the Post area.
People will be able to park for free locally on one day selected by their city, town or parish council to support trading in town centres.
Council Leader Adam Paynter said: “We’re proud to support our local economies by offering free parking in the busy build-up to Christmas. Not only does this mean people can take their time shopping, it also means people can spend more time in cafes and restaurants. You don’t get that experience shopping online.”
Cornwall Council contacted city, town and parish councils to offer the initiative which will result in almost 90 Cornwall Council run car parks, which usually charge for parking, being free for one day.
Many town and parish councils, including Callington, Port Isaac and Tintagel, selected Saturday, December 1 as their free parking day to coincide with Small Business Saturday — a national initiative that has been running for the past six years.
Other towns have chosen their date to encourage people to come along to festive events they already had planned.
All Cornwall Council car parks are clearly branded and the council will be displaying posters about the parking offer at charging points on the day when parking is free.
The following Post area car parks’ free days are:
Boscastle (Cobweb) — Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Bude (Crooklets, Post Office, Summerleaze, The Crescent, The Wharf) — Saturday, December 22
Launceston (Castle Street, Cattle Market Long Stay, Cattle Market Short Stay, Pannier Market, Walk House) — Friday, December 21
Widemouth (Widemouth Bay) — Wednesday, December 26
Torridge and town councils will also once again be supporting local businesses and shoppers with free parking days in council car parks in the run up to Christmas.
In addition to the many other dates announced, Torridge participated in the national ‘Small Business Day’ event on Saturday (December 1) by providing free parking in all their public car parks for the whole day from 8am to 6pm.
The ‘Small Business Day’ campaign is now in its sixth year and the council hoped that the focus will have encouraged people to shop locally and support the many small businesses that help keep high streets thriving as a place to visit, shop and eat.
Councillor Bob Hicks, lead member for the economy, said: “I hope the free parking days announced for this year will once again encourage people to get out and about and support our small businesses across the district. Collectively they are a vital part of our economy and employ many people and support many families. As well as this, many offer something a little bit different for shoppers and it’s a great opportunity to find a gift for Christmas or other special occasion. There’s also an abundance of small cafes and restaurants to keep food lovers happy as well.”
In the Post area, Holsworthy are offering free car parking on three separate days.
On the Saturdays of December 15 and 22, Holsworthy Manor car park, courtesy of Holsworthy Town Council, is offering free car parking from 8am-midday (this car park is free from midday on Saturdays anyway).
On Christmas Eve (Monday, December 24), the town council are offering free parking all day in the Holsworthy Manor car park.
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