Following last week's announcement that Cheshire East Council are launching a new initiative to introduce up to 4 days of free parking a year, the first day of free parking for Wilmslow has been confirmed.
Having consulted with Wilmslow Business Group, the Town Council has chosen to have the first free day of parking on Tuesday, 27th December and will cover the South Drive; Hoopers; Spring Street and the Rex car parks. Whilst this is a Bank Holiday the Town Council has been informed that charges would normally apply in these Council owned car parks.
This date has been selected to tie in with the first day of the sale for many Wilmslow stores.
Town Clerk Matthew Jackson said "27th December being the first day of the winter sales for most shops in Wilmslow should be a very busy day. Free parking should benefit the retailers by providing an added incentive to come to Wilmslow and benefit visitors and businesses by encouraging longer stays in the town."
He added "Good Friday is another very busy day for retail stores and, as parking charges would normally apply, this date has also been selected in order to encourage footfall.
"In order to help generate footfall at a quiet time of the year the date of Saturday 28 January will have free parking. The final date for the year has not yet been identified."
Catherine Mackenzie, Chairman of Wilmslow Business Group commented: "We are grateful to Cheshire East for providing these four days of free parking over the next 12 months. We hope it will encourage people to come into Wilmslow to visit our shops, bars and restaurants."
A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: "The primary purpose of this incentive is to support our towns and provide a flexible incentive which can be used in the run up to Christmas or spread throughout the year to aid key town events. This is in addition to the free parking after 3pm at certain designated car parks within the borough."
In order to avoid all the spaces being taken up by workers, the free parking will start after 10am.
Wilmslow Town Council were invited to pick any four days in the next 12 months.
When would you like to see the fourth day of free parking in the town centre? Share your views via the comment box below.
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Its surprising that charges apply on bank holidays anyway.