Free Parking Boost Over Christmas

Blackpool Council and the Blackpool BID have joined forces to launch two festive free car parking offers ahead of the Christmas shopping period.

The first offer, aimed at helping local firms and encouraging visitors and residents to discover Blackpool’s best small shops on national “Small Business Saturday”, will see free parking offered at all car parks (with the exception of South Beach car park) on Saturday 7 December.

The offer is available throughout the day and evening.

The second offer will see shoppers offered free parking in the newly refurbished Talbot Road multi-storey car park for the four Thursday late night shopping events on November 28 and December 5, 12 and 19 from 5pm until midnight.

Free parking is also being offered on the same evenings by the Houndshill Shopping Centre.

It is hoped the two offers will mean a healthy influx of shoppers to Blackpool’s ever improving town centre and give a boost to residents and visitors from further afield ahead of Christmas.

Cllr John Jones, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We know parking is an important issue for people and I’ve been listening carefully to what people have to say.

“What we’re doing with these two offers is offering people a positive incentive to come into the town this Christmas because there are some tremendous shops in both the town centre and South Beach areas.”

And Cllr Fred Jackson, cabinet member for urban regeneration, added: “Blackpool’s shopping offer has improved immeasurably over the last few years with the redevelopment of the Houndshill Shopping Centre and the emergence of some fantastic new shops.

“I sincerely hope that businesses, both big and small, will feel the benefit from this offer and shoppers will be able to put the saving to good use, perhaps with an extra present for their loved ones.”

Eileen Ormand, Town Centre and BID Manager said: “Free car parking offers always feature high up on the list of feedback we receive from businesses, local residents and visitors to the resort.

“Responding to this Blackpool BID is pleased to join with Blackpool Council in funding both offers.

“Blackpool has many small independent businesses that need your support.

“Come in and explore the magic of Blackpool’s Christmas Lights on Thursday nights and why not use the free parking offer on ‘Small Business Saturday’ to explore some of our smaller shops, cafés, restaurants and myriad of other businesses.”