Free Christmas parking scheme scrapped by council

Somerset Council said the free parking initiative costs £50,000 a year

Free parking during the lead-up to Christmas has been scrapped because of a council's financial issues.

In previous years, Somerset's district councils, which have now been merged to create Somerset Council, offered free parking on Saturdays in December to support businesses by encouraging shoppers to visit.

Traders in the county have spoken of their disappointment with the decision and have asked for it to be reversed.

Somerset Council said: "The council recently declared a financial emergency which means we are reviewing all spending, including free Christmas parking, to ensure we can continue to protect core services and look after people in need.”

Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce manager Diogo Rodrigues said free parking brings people in to the town

The council added: “Whilst we would like to be able to offer free parking over the pre-Christmas period, given the current financial climate we are not able to do so this year – we anticipate this would cost about £50,000.”

Diogo Rodrigues, Conservative councillor for Bridgwater and manager of Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce, said: "When Sedgemoor District Council offered free parking it was really successful, because it brought people onto the High Street.

"Angel Place in Bridgwater would also offer free parking in parallel with the council. That has also stopped this year.

"Traders in Bridgwater say Saturday is the worst day of the week for footfall, so they needed the free parking to encourage people in to the town centre."

'A very disappointing decision'

Barrie Crow runs independent boutique shop, ALiSE & Louie, with his wife Vanda in Bridgwater.

He said: "It's a very disappointing decision that Somerset Council has stopped the free parking. I hope it reconsiders.

"We take a third of our sales for the year during the lead-up to Christmas. It's a very busy time for all of us.

"We cannot compete with the online market and out of town retail parks, which provide free parking."

Barrie Crow said he hoped Somerset Council would reconsider its decision

Elsewhere in Somerset, Wellington Town Council said it will provide free parking in the three car parks it runs in the town.

Shoppers will be able to park for free on Saturday 16 December and Saturday 23 December.

Dave Farrow, town clerk, said: "We have a lot of independent retailers in Wellington who need our support.

"We expect the cost to be around £3,700."

Financial emergency

Somerset Council declared a financial emergency because of "soaring costs and demands for services" in November.

It has warned it needs to make cuts to public services as it struggles with a predicted budget gap of £87m.

Somerset Council has proposed a hike in council tax and other fees, such as those associated with parking and green waste collection.