FREE parking will be available in New Forest District Council's car parks, including Fordingbridge and Ringwood, today (Saturday December 4). 

it is to support Small Business Saturday.

Free parking will also be available on Saturday December 18 and Sunday 19. Towns and parish councils have also been able to request an additional day of free parking.

In Fordingbridge, there will be free parking on Saturday December 11, which coincides with Fordingbridge Events Group's Glow afternoon, which runs from 2.30pm to 7pm at Roundhill.

The initiative is aimed at encouraging residents to continue to shop locally in the lead up to Christmas.

Cllr Michael Harris OBE, New Forest District Council, Portfolio Holder for Business, High Streets and Tourism said: “The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic led to a change in shopping habits, with consumers rediscovering their high streets and the advantages of shopping locally.

"We want to build on this as we see our High Street’s as the heart of our towns and villages and an important part of our local economy.

“We hope the four days of free parking will encourage people who already shop nearby to carry on, and also for people who haven’t been to their local shops recently to go and take a look at what is available right on their doorstep.”

 

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