Here's where you can park for FREE in Gloucestershire in the lead up to Christmas
Christmas shoppers are being offered free parking in Tewkesbury and Gloucester
With the second national lockdown now over people in Gloucestershire are eager to head back to the high street to do the last bit of the Christmas shopping.
The message from many councils this is year though is to try to shop local in order to support local and independent retailers who have taken a huge hit during the coronavirus pandemic.
To support that message, two councils in the county are offering shoppers free parking in the lead up the big day to boost the local economy and keep people safe.
So here's everywhere you can park for FREE in the lead up to Christmas.
Gloucester
Where: Kings Walk and Eastgate Shopping Centre car parks
When: All day on every Thursday leading up to and including Christmas Eve
The two car parks have over 600 spaces between them, and the free Thursday parking will allow shoppers to not feel rushed and to enjoy the late-night shopping on Thursdays too.
Councillor Dawn Melvin, Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Growth at Gloucester City Council, said:
“It’s incredible news and I’m thrilled that this initiative is taking place. We need to do everything in our power to get people back into our city centre. Shopping local is absolutely imperative right now."
Tewkesbury
Where: Tewkesbury Borough Council owned car parks (Bishops Walk, Gloucester Road, Oldbury Road, Rails Meadow, Spring Gardens, Station Road, St Mary's Lane and Vineyards car parks)
When: Every Saturday leading up to Christmas (5th, 12th, 19th December)
Shoppers can also enjoy free parking at council-owned car parks in Winchcombe on the same days as well
Councillor Robert Vines, lead member for finance and asset management, said:
We want to encourage residents to support their local shops by doing this year's Christmas shopping near to home. When lockdown ends on 2 December, we hope people will choose to take advantage of the free parking and great range of retailers to buy gifts and festive fare.
Our environmental health officers have been working closely with local businesses to help introduce Covid-secure measures that the risks are minimised as much as possible.”