To encourage people to shop locally this Christmas, free parking is being offered on four weekends in the lead up to Christmas in five off street car parking areas in Birchington, Broadstairs, Margate, Northdown Road in Cliftonville and Ramsgate.
It’s all part of the Shop Local First scheme, developed by the council, in association with local traders, as a way of supporting and promoting local businesses. The scheme, which offers a range of incentives to reward people when they shop locally, has more than 130 businesses on the scheme. Over 30,000 incentive cards have already been handed out, since the scheme launched in November 2009 and for Christmas, a special e-card will be available to download later this month.
Now, in a bid to further support traders, free parking is being offered all day on weekends in the four weekends before Christmas in five selected off street car parking areas:
Mill Lane, Margate
Vere Road, Broadstairs
Meeting Street, Ramsgate
Alpha Road, Birchington
Harold Road, Northdown Road in Cliftonville
Free parking is valid on the following weekend dates:
Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 November
Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 December
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 December
Cllr Bob Bayford, Leader of Thanet District Council said: “We’re really lucky in Thanet to have a wide range of independent shops on offer in our high streets and I hope that, by offering free parking over the four weekends leading up to Christmas, we can encourage more people to shop locally. From great bakers, fishmongers, greengrocers and butchers, from award winning restaurants to interesting boutiques and specialist shops – our high streets are home to a great shopping experience. Sadly lots of people don’t realise that if they don’t shop locally, then businesses will close so I really hope that people will make the effort to shop locally for Christmas.
To find out more about the scheme, including all the businesses and their incentives, visit www.thanet.gov.uk/shoplocal or call 01843 577169.
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