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.

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."

Council's Cabinet portfolio holder for transport Geoff Brown said: "This is all about getting people to shop locally and support local businesses during the festive period.We have some fantastic shops, cafes and restaurants across Cornwall and we want to encourage people to take the time to enjoy them."

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 have selected Saturday 1 December 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.

Shoppers coming to Truro on Saturday 1 December can use the two park and ride sites for free as well as nine Cornwall Council run car parks around the city.

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.

Town, date of free parking and car park

Town/ Parish

Date of free parking

Car parks

Bodmin

30 November 2018

Berrycombe Road, Dennison Road, Fore St - Long & Short Stay, Victoria Square

Boscastle

01 January 2019

Cobweb

Bude

22 December 2018

Crooklets, Post Office, Summerleaze, The Crescent, The Wharf

Callington

01 December 2018

New Road North, New Road South

Camborne

01 December 2018 (in addition the Town Council/BID is providing free parking on 08,15 & 22 December 2018)

Rosewarne, Rosewarne Extension

Cawsand

01 January 2019

Cawsand

Fowey

01 December 2018

Caffa Mill, Main, Albert Quay

Falmouth

08 December 2018

Church Street, Grove Place, The Dell, The Moor, Town Quarry, Well Lane

Hayle

01 December (in addition the Town Council is providing free parking on 08,15 & 22 December 2018)

Commercial Road, Foundry Square

Helston

15 December 2018

Castle Green, Cattlemarket, Trengrouse Way, Trengrouse Way Extension, Tyacke Road

Launceston

21 December 2018

Castle Street, Cattle Market Long Stay, Cattle Market Short Stay, Pannier Market, Walk House

Liskeard

01 December (in addition the Town Council is providing free parking on 08,15 & 22 December 2018)

Cattlemarket, Lower Sungirt, Rapsons, Upper Sungirt, Westbourne

Looe

08 December2018

Riverbank, Millpool, Kilminorth Woods

Ludgvan

26 December 2018

Long Rock, Marazion Station

Mevagissey

01 December 2018

Church Street, River Street

Newquay

01 December 2018

Fore Street, Mount Wise, St Georges Road, The Manor

Padstow

08 December 2018

Link Road

Penryn

01 December 2018

Commercial Road, Exchequer Quay, Saracen

Penzance

01 December 2018

Causeway Head, Clarence Street, Greenmarket, Harbour, Long Rock, Penalverne, St Anthonys, St Erbyns, Wherrytown

Polzeath

08 and 26 December 2018

Polzeath Beach

Port Isaac

01 December 2018

New Road

Redruth

15 December 2018

Flowerpot Chapel, New Cut, New Cut Extension, West End

Saltash

22 December 2018

Alexandra Square, Bellevue West, Bellevue East, Culver Road

St. Ives

01 December 2018

Porthmeor, Sloop, Barnoon Long Stay, Park Avenue, Smeatons Pier, Trenwith, Station, Island

Tintagel

01 December 2018

Tintagel Visitors Centre

Torpoint

22 December 2018

Anthony Road, Tamar Street

Truro

01 December 2018

Edward Street, Garras Wharf, Moorfield, Moresk, Old Bridge Street, Pydar Street, Viaduct, Carrick House, Fairmantle Street

Wadebridge

15 December 2018

Goldsworthy Way, Piggy Lane

Widemouth

26 December 2018

Widemouth Bay

Porthleven

Held a free parking day on 17 November 2018  

 

St Austell

Held a free parking day on 17 November 2018

St Austell Town Council is offering free parking after 4pm in the Priory Car Park on 27 November, 04, 11, & 18 December 2018

 

On-street parking is excluded from the scheme.

Story posted 27 November 2018