MOTORISTS will get free parking in Bromsgrove town centre car parks on two weekends between now and Christmas.
December 6 is Small Business Saturday and it is hoped residents will give the High Street a boost by shopping in the town centre on that day.
Free parking will also be in place next Sunday (December 7) and again on December 20 and 21.
A motion to have free parking on Small Business Saturday, put forward by the town’s Labour Group, was submitted at the full council meeting this time last year but it was defeated as, the Conservatives claimed, it had not been budgeted for.
Coun Mark Bullivant, whose portfolio covers parking, said: “Our High Street looks amazing following its revamp and we have lots of unique shops and independent cafes as well as national chains for shoppers to choose from.
“We want to encourage people to shop local and indeed the first weekend of free parking falls on Small Business Saturday.
“So come along to Bromsgrove and see what’s on offer.”
But, Bromsgrove Labour leader, Coun Luke Mallett said the council had not really given residents anything extra.
He added free parking had already been offered on the last two weekends before Christmas and all that had happened was that the one weekend had been moved forward to include Small Business Saturday.
Small Business Saturday is a scheme which originated from America and takes place over there on one of the first Saturdays after Thanksgiving – last year was the first time it had taken place in the UK.
