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Free Parking on Saturday's in Rotherham Town Centre
Shoppers to Rotherham town centre can now enjoy free weekend parking from November 21st to the end of December, providing a welcome boost for town centre retailers and shoppers.
The move follows on from the Free after 3 parking initiative introduced earlier this year which recognises how important the cost of parking is to our shoppers.
The Borough Councils Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation, Cllr Gerald Smith, said: Retail is hugely important to the centres 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.
Starting on Saturday November 21st, and running until Saturday December 26th, 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 Adams in Rotherham Linda Bough said: We have been pleased to see a boost in footfall 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 croft parking spaces. However, until development works start, the council agreed to create temporary parking from November 6th in time for Christmas shopping, in an area which retailers have identified would benefit from additional spaces.
Adding extra sparkle to bring in the shoppers and visitors to the town centre are also a wide range of Christmas events including the annual lights switch on on November 19th, Christmas Craft Market December 4th and 5th, Real Reindeer parade on December 12th, and a programme of festive family activities throughout Saturdays in December.
