Saltash launches Free Parking Plus

Saltash Town Council has announced a 'bigger and better' Free Parking scheme for Christmas 2012. The free parking will run from 10am each weekday and all day at the weekend from 1 December until Christmas Day.

As Cornwall Council still need to be paid the full cost of what they would otherwise have taken in parking fees, Saltash Town Council and its partners, the 'Saltash Town-centre Improvement Group' (The STIG), have arranged for it to be paid for using Section 106 given by the supermarkets in the town.

The start of the free parking scheme coincides with Saltash's Victorian themed Christmas Event which takes place on Saturday 1 December and includes late night shopping. Further late night shopping events will be held on Friday 7, 14 and 21 December with over 30 retailers staying open until at least 7pm.

Town Mayor Cllr Martin Gee said: "Saltash Town Council's highest priority is the continued enhancement of the Town Centre – it is of the utmost importance to our community. We are also grateful for Cornwall Council's work in allowing us to carry out the scheme: working in partnership is what localism should be all about."

STIG Co-Chair Cllr Adam Killeya, who organises the free parking scheme, added: "Last year's parking scheme was a big success and businesses told us that it made a real difference. We were determined to not simply repeat it but to expand it, and link it in with a number of other projects"

Peter Ryland, Vice-Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and an investor in Fore St properties, said: "Christmas is an important period for town centre businesses as, for some, 25% of their annual turnover is transacted in the Christmas period. The free parking and the Christmas Event all help to attract shoppers to the town in this critical business period."

The free parking is one of a number of projects organised by the STIG. Also in the pipeline is a town app, improved publicity and signage and, according to Liam Bradley, Chairman of Saltash Gateway Community Interest Company, they are also "looking at several other new and interesting ideas to tackle retail crime and even the weather!"