Free Saturday parking for Christmas shoppers

SHOPPERS are to get an early Christmas present from council chiefs...free Saturday parking running up to Christmas in the town centre

It will run from Saturday, November 21 to Saturday, December 26, providing a welcomed boost for town centre retailers and shoppers.

It will run from Saturday, November 21 to Saturday, December 26, providing a welcomed boost for town centre retailers and shoppers.

The move follows the popular Free after 3 parking scheme introduced earlier this year which recognises how important the cost of parking is to shoppers.

The council's Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation, Cllr Gerald Smith, said: "Retail is hugely important to the centre's economy and I hope that, by offering free parking on Saturdays, people will be encouraged to shop in Rotherham and retailers will see the benefit in these challenging times."

The scheme applies to all council run car parks and on-street parking bays, meaning around 1,500 spaces will be free all day Saturday and Sunday as well as after 3pm Monday to Friday.

Manager of children’s Adams in Rotherham Linda Bough said: "We've been pleased to see a boost in footfall and our figures since the launch of the Free after 3pm parking initiative.

“Some of our shoppers are changing their habits and coming in after 3pm due to the initiative.

“However, thanks to the Free after 3 we have also seen some new customers and also a rise in the value of the individual transactions made. We hope this next phase of free Saturday parking will further boost sales leading up to Christmas."

There was more good news with the council decision to recreate 35 parking spaces on the old abattoir site behind the NatWest bank building on Corporation Street.

This site is identified for a £3.5m public space scheme which will include 50 permanent under ground parking spaces. However, until development works start, the council agreed to create temporary parking from November 6 in time for Christmas shopping, in an area which retailers have identified would benefit from additional spaces.

Adding extra seasonal sparkle to bring in the shoppers and visitors are a wide range of Christmas events including the annual lights switch-on on November 19, Christmas Craft Market, December 4 and 5, Real Reindeer parade, December 12 and a programme of festive family activities throughout Saturdays in December.