Cheaper parking to lure Christmas shoppers in

The council has joined forces with Blackpool BID (business improvement district) to launch two special deals to lure shoppers to the resort.

The park for a pound scheme includes four town centre car parks – West Street, Central, Talbot multi-storey and East Topping Street for Thursday late night shopping on December 1, 8, 15 and 22 between 5pm and midnight, and all day Sunday November 27 and December 4, 11 and 18.

Joining in with the Thursday night offer is the Houndshill Shopping Centre car park which will also be a pound to park from 5pm until midnight.

In addition, to mark Small Business Saturday on December 3, free parking will be available in all council car parks, apart from the Talbot multi-story car park, from 2pm until midnight.

Similar deals have been operated in the town centre for the last few years in order to help boost the local retail sector.

Small Business Saturday is particularly aimed at independent shops. and businesses.

Coun Christine Wright, cabinet member for parking on Blackpool Council, said: “The Christmas period is the most important time of the year for the retail sector and we want to do all that we can to encourage as many shoppers as possible in Blackpool.

“These offers are designed to attract people to carry out their Christmas shopping in Blackpool and hopefully also stop for a bite to eat or to enjoy a show.

“For our local businesses to thrive they need support from local people.

“I hope residents and visitors take advantage of these parking offers and in turn support our local economy.”

Town centre and BID manager Eileen Ormand also urged residents to take advantage of the special parking deal.

She said it would also give people chance to explore eating out opportunities in the town.

She said: “Hopefully people will have used our Christmas parking offers over the past few years and will take up the offer again this year.

“If not, this is an economical way to discover for yourself everything Blackpool town centre has to offer.

“Great shopping for all your Christmas gifts and indulgences, fabulous attractions for all the family and shows that will really make this festive time of the year special.

“I would urge people not to miss our food and drink scene which seems to grow almost daily.

“Eating and drinking in Blackpool now has a truly international feel to it with first class venues and restaurants with something for every pocket and taste.

“So I would say do take advantage of the £1 parking offers and find out why Blackpool is the place to be this Christmas.”