Newcastle will have free parking for shoppers visiting the town centre in the run up to Christmas as part of a festive package of yuletide events taking place this year.
From 18 November parking at Newcastle’s Midway car park will be free from 10am to 1pm every day. After 1pm it will cost just £1 to park until 8am the next day. Sunday parking is free all year round on Council car parks.
The free parking incentive will run throughout the Christmas and New Year period, up to 6 January 2023.
The ‘£1 after 1pm’ scheme and free Sundays, that have proved very popular with shoppers, will be in place to support this year’s Christmas programme of events – including Castle Artisan Market, the Christmas Lights switch-on event and late night shopping.
The Leader of the Council, Simon Tagg, said: “The free festive parking offer has been very well received by shoppers in Newcastle. They have told us that it helps them to plan their shopping trips and allows them to stay longer in town to do their Christmas shopping, then go for a coffee or have a meal.
“There will also be festive events in the town centre throughout the run-up to Christmas for residents to enjoy.”
The incentive was introduced as part of the Council’s Car Parking Strategy last year to help boost the town’s economy after the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The strategy also looks at ways to improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions and has seen the introduction of new ticket machines and electric vehicles charging points.
Stephen Sweeney, Cabinet member for finance, town centres and growth, said: “We know that free parking attracts shoppers and the £1 after 1pm is also popular. We always listen to what our residents tell us.
“We know it will cost us around £55,000 in lost parking fees but we don’t run the council town centre car parks solely for profit, our decision is based on incentivising local people to come into town to do their Christmas shopping and to use local businesses – including the town’s historic market.”
