Christmas Bonus! Mayor's Free Parking Deal Extension Brought Forward
• New, extended free parking arrangements for Bedford Town Centre now in operation after Mayor Dave Hodgson brought them forward earlier this month
• Queen Street Multi Storey is now free for your first two hours, from Monday to Saturday, meaning Bedford Town Centre offers a free parking option every day of the week.
• The offer continues indefinitely beyond Christmas and is intended to build on success of Mayor's Free Parking Deal on Saturdays, which has helped Bedford footfall to rise year-on-year despite tough times for UK town centres
In a boost for local shoppers and traders, a free town centre parking option is now on offer in Bedford through the week. The Council previously announced proposals for two hours' free parking at Queen Street Multi Storey Car Park from January 2017, and this permanent offer was brought forward earlier this month and is now in operation, in support of traders during this all-important Christmas shopping period.
The move is intended to build on the success of the Mayor's Free Parking Deal of two hours' free parking on Saturdays in all town centre council car parks. Bedford town centre footfall has risen each year since its introduction in 2013, while the latest monthly figures show that Bedford town centre had its best October for footfall in six years.
Commenting, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "We've seen the positive impact that free parking can have for the town centre with our Free Parking Deal, even in the face of the huge growth of online shopping. That's why we're bringing forward this new offer at one of the multi-storeys, in order that shoppers choosing where to go for their Christmas shopping and for the sales can rest assured that there is a town centre free parking option every day of the week in Bedford.'
"We know how important this period is for local traders, and we want to support them to have a successful Christmas, while encouraging residents and visitors to enjoy Bedford town centre. And remember, free parking in Bedford is for life, not just for Christmas, with two hours' free parking at Queen Street car park to continue beyond the festive season."
Bedford's year-on-year rise in footfall in October of 11 per cent contrasts with a national decline of 0.4%. Meanwhile, the increase in annual footfall over recent years comes in the context of growing competition from online retail, which has grown rapidly to the point that it now accounts for 15% of all retail spending in the UK.
Christmas is a crucial period for retailers and, following on from the big Christmas Lights switch-on last week, Bedford's traders will be hoping for a busy, vibrant town centre in the coming weeks. Attractions include late-night shopping on Thursday evenings, amusements and entertainment for children from 16th December and markets every day from 16th December through to Christmas Eve, all in addition to the new free parking offer at Queen Street Multi-Storey car park.