Christmas parking offers to boost trade
Council bosses want to highlight the value in shopping locally
Parking offers are being put in place in Chichester this Christmas to boost trade.
It'll also apply for High Streets in East Wittering, Midhurst, Petworth and Selsey.
Council bosses say despite the difficult times, they want to highlight the value in shopping locally.
“While everyone is facing rising costs and difficult times at the moment, it’s still really important to highlight the value in shopping locally,” says Councillor Tony Dignum, the council’s Cabinet Member for Growth, Place and Regeneration.
“From using local markets and food producers or making the most of festive visitor attractions like the returning Christmas Market, to searching for unique gifts from independent shops, it’s important that residents continue to ‘shop local, visit local, and support local’ this Christmas.
“Our high streets in Chichester, East Wittering, Midhurst, Petworth and Selsey, have plenty of shopping opportunities on offer. And while you’re there, you can also enjoy the wide selection of cafes and restaurants to make your visit a more special experience.
“I’m pleased to say that we will also be running some special parking offers. We have done this in order to support businesses and residents and to encourage people into Chichester city centre this festive season.”
The council will be offering the following:
• select two hours and get a third free in all council-owned car parks across the district (except Avenue De Chartres and Westgate car parks) during December when using the MiPermit app www.chichester.gov.uk/mipermit.
• free parking after 4pm in the Avenue de Chartres car park in Chichester for the Christmas lights switch-on event on 26 November and late-night shopping in Chichester on 15 and 22 December.
For more information to help with shopping locally this festive period, people can also visit the ShopAppy website which lists details of local shops and businesses, some of which offer online shopping and ‘click and collect’ services to make shopping more accessible and easier. Towns across the district which are signed up to ShopAppy have their own information on the website and are listed below:
• Chichester – www.shopappy.com/chichester
• East Wittering – www.shopappy.com/eastwittering
• Midhurst - www.shopappy.com/midhurst
• Petworth – www.shopappy.com/petworth
• Selsey – www.shopappy.com/selsey
The council is also looking forward to welcoming back the popular Chichester Christmas Market, which will run during December.
The regular Chichester Farmers’ Markets and city centre Wednesday and Saturday markets will also be taking place in the run up to Christmas. These markets provide an extra festive opportunity for residents to shop locally this Christmas and support businesses in the district.