Free parking to be launched in Harrogate at major car park to boost Christmas shopping

Harrogate stores set for longest-ever opening hours throughout December to attract Christmas shoppers

Launched by Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID), the new scheme will start on Monday, December 7 at Victoria Car Park which links with Victoria Shopping Centre.

With the ‘Tier 2’ rules that Harrogate district now falls under running until at least December 16, the new initiative is a welcome step at a time when the town centre so desperately needs more footfall from customers to make up for the lost revenue of this Covid year.

The new “free after three” car parking initiative enables motorists arriving after 3pm to park for free in the Victoria Car Park on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, between December 7 and 24.

Sara Ferguson, Harrogate BID's acting chair said everything was still to play for in the three weeks remaining before Christmas for the town's shops, bars, cafe and restaurants.

The free parking, she added, would benefit Christmas shoppers looking to come into town at teatime, or later.

But it's not the only boost to the town's retail and hospitality sector being introduced by Harrogate BID this festive season to support both customers and businesses.

As well as repeating last year’s financial support for Harrogate Bus Company’s free Sunday buses on three Harrogate Electrics routes into the town centre, it has also invested in spectacular Christmas lights in the town centre.

Sara Ferguson said: "This year’s Christmas lights are also helping to make the town more feel more welcoming and safe to those visiting on a night-time, with streets that are normally dark now lit.”

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