FREE CHRISTMAS PARKING TO RETURN TO BEDFORD TOWN CENTRE

Free Christmas parking will be on offer in Bedford town centre again this year as Mayor Dave Hodgson seeks to encourage shoppers to use the town centre as well as providing a timely boost to local businesses.

Parking will be free in all Council car parks after 3pm from Monday 22nd November to Saturday 28th November 2010. All day free parking will be available at Queen Street multi-storey during this period.

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "I am delighted to announce free parking will again return to Bedford town centre in time for Christmas.

"By making it as easy as possible to come into town and get the Christmas shopping underway, we hope this move will provide a welcome boost for residents and local retailers, while helping to make the town centre even more vibrant in the run up to Christmas.

"Free parking is just one of a number of promotions and events which make Bedford Town Centre the place to be this Christmas. The spectacular Christmas light switch on takes place on 24th November, with the popular Victorian Christmas Fair, which this year will be bigger and better than ever, returning between 10th and 12th December.

"We want to help local retailers during what is the most important time of the year for many of them, and we will shortly be launching the 'Buy in Bedford' campaign to encourage people to support local businesses across the Borough."

Car parks included in free parking initiative:

· River Street

· Allhallows

· Lurke Street

· Riverside Square

· St Peters Street

· Melbourne Street

· Duckmill Lane

· Queens Street (all day)