Monmouthshire County Council has agreed to run a free Christmas parking initiative in the town centre, for a third consecutive year.
All parking in council-owned car parks in the town centre will be free on the first three Saturdays in December; that is, the 1st, 8th and 15th of December. The scheme, which is intended to boost the town’s economy, has been a big hit with local retailers for the past two years. The aim of the initiative is to attract Christmas shoppers into the town centre and to remind them of the great range of independent retailers that Abergavenny has to offer.
If your Christmas shopping does take you slightly further afield, Monmouth and Chepstow will also be benefitting from the scheme, although Monmouth’s free parking dates begin one week earlier to include 24th of November and the 1st and 8th of December.
Overall the initiative is expected to cost the council approximately £17,000 in lost revenue, but the gains to the local economy are expected to outstrip this. Cabinet member for County Operations, Cllr Bryan Jones said:
“Free parking was such a success over the last two years that it’s right to repeat it. It did cost the council around £17,000 in lost revenue. But, of course, our towns benefitted enormously from increased custom in shops and restaurants. And it reminded people what a brilliant range of shops we have in our towns.”
Be sure to take advantage of this free parking initiative and to show your support for our local retailers this Christmas!
Neighbouring Powys will benefit from free parking everyday until Christmas Eve. The initiative will apply to all council run car parks from Saturday until Christmas Eve between 10:00 and 18:00 GMT.
