Frome gets free parking for shop local day and in run up to Christmas

An early Christmas wish has been granted for shoppers and businesses in Mendip, including in Frome

Free festive parking will come into effect this month, as Mendip District Council’s Cabinet has agreed to support Small Business Saturday by providing free all day car parking at the Cattle Market car park on Saturday 6th December.

Small Business Saturday UK is a national campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.

To build on this support, the council has also agreed to suspend charges on all of its car parks in the days running up to Christmas.

Free Christmas parking has been running for several years but this year will see all of the council’s 31 pay and display car parks suspend charges for the entire day. The free period will start on Saturday 20th December and will last until Wednesday 24th December and also includes New Years Day.

The aim is to encourage shoppers to spend their money in the district’s many and varied businesses during the Christmas period. However, the council is warning shoppers that the time restrictions will still be enforced in areas where parking is only allowed for a specified time.

Cllr Nigel Taylor, Mendip District Council’s portfolio holder for regulatory services, which includes car parks said, “The aim of the free Christmas parking scheme is to help encourage shoppers into Mendip and spread trade across the day. The addition of free parking on Small Business Day is new this year but something we hope will continue into the future and offer a boost to Mendip’s small businesses.

“We want to support Christmas shopping in Mendip and as a further measure of seasonal goodwill, to encourage drivers not to drink and drive, the council is extending free parking to cover all day on New Year’s Day.”

Shoppers are also reminded that free parking is already available in Frome at the Market Place and Catherine Street car parks.

Nigel Harris, president of Frome Chamber said, “Supporting small businesses is very important, and by encouraging shoppers with free parking for Small Business Saturday and the run up to Christmas, the council has taken a very positive step towards helping local traders.”

For more information on Mendip car parks please visit www.mendip.gov.uk