Bridgend County Borough Council will again provide FREE car parking at all public car parks in Bridgend and Porthcawl during the two weeks leading up to Christmas 2010.
And as an extra early Christmas present for the county borough, the council is also looking at ways that trade can be encouraged by introducing lower car parking tariffs during certain periods.
Designed to attract as many shoppers as possible during the festive season, the free car parking initiative will coincide with Christmas festival events in Bridgend town centre organised by Bridgend Festivals.
These include a Christmas Market between 10 – 18 December which will fill the town centre’s pedestrianised streets with stalls offering a range of gifts, crafts and goods. There will also be visits from Santa Claus at a grotto set up in Dunraven Place every Saturday between 27 November – 18 December. More events are being organised as part of the Christmas Market and further details will be announced soon.
The free Christmas car parking will be available:
- After 2pm at all council-operated car parks in Bridgend and Porthcawl between Monday 13 – Saturday 18 December.
- After 10am at all council-operated car parks in Bridgend and Porthcawl between Monday 20 – Friday 24 December.
- All day at the council’s Sunnyside Offices in Bridgend on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 December.
Council Leader Mel Nott said: “The free car parking is again being provided in support of the council’s ongoing regeneration plans for the area and for the benefit of local businesses during the festive period. This will be a real opportunity to attract new visitors into the county borough and demonstrate what Bridgend and Porthcawl have to offer.”
Councillor John Spanswick, Cabinet Member for Communities, added: “We are currently looking at ways of introducing lower car parking tariffs to attract people into our town centres during periods that are traditionally quieter and less busy.
“Free car parks are already available at Pencoed and Maesteg, and parking is also free every Sunday throughout the year at most public car parks in Bridgend County Borough, and on Sundays in Porthcawl throughout the winter.”
