New town centre parking discount scheme launched
Colchester Borough Council has launched the MiPermit app to support local businesses
Colchester Borough Council has launched a new parking discount pilot scheme called MiPermit Discounts.
The scheme, which is believed to be one of the first of its kind in the country, will provide motorists with parking stay discounts of up to £5 when they make a purchase in participating town centre shops and businesses.
The pilot scheme which launched on 28 June is designed to support local businesses and aims to deliver improved and smarter parking services in the borough.
The scheme works by enabling motorists, who pay for their car parking in Colchester town centre using the MiPermit app, to get a discount on their parking stay when they spend money at any of the local businesses participating in the scheme.
Each motorist who spends money and gets a QR code in their app scanned in any of the participating shops and venues, will receive a discount will automatically be applied to their parking stay in the app.
Discounts at individual businesses vary between 50p, £1, £2 and £5, which means that with a maximum discount per stay currently set at £5, some motorists could even end up with a completely free parking stay in town, depending on which tariff they have purchased.
Councillor Simon Crow, Colchester Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment & Sustainability, said:
“This innovative parking discount scheme not only supports our new parking strategy for Colchester but is also a fantastic way for us to support town centre businesses following the impact of coronavirus restrictions over the last year.
“We have worked closely with Colchester’s Business Improvement District and local businesses for many months to develop the scheme and will continue to do so as the pilot progresses, and we hope lots of motorists will make use of this fantastic offer.
“Usage of the MiPermit app in Colchester has soared over the last year, and for those who haven’t yet downloaded the free app, it’s a very quick, easy, secure and contactless way to pay for your parking and is also where all the council’s parking offers can be found.”
Sam Good, Business Improvement District Manager - Our Colchester, added:
“We’re really looking forward to working with Colchester Borough Council and the MiPermit teams to bring this great offer to visitors of Colchester.
"This is one of the first project of its kind in the country, and we’re excited to be helping people get discounted parking, and potentially free parking, simply by shopping in their favourite stores. We’re keen to get your favourite stores on board so let them know you’d like to see them take part.”
The scheme is available in all council-owned town centre car parks and further information about MiPermit Discounts, including participating businesses can be found at www.colchester.gov.uk/parkandsave.
To find out more about parking in the town, including locations of car parks and year-round deals, visit** www.colchester.gov.uk/parking**