Free December parking to encourage shoppers to visit high street

CUSTOMERS are being enticed to do their Christmas shopping in the high street with the promise of free parking.

Council-owned car parks will be free to park in for the whole of December, in a bid to drive commercial footfall.

In Portsmouth, the council will give an extra hour free when one hour of parking is purchased in Ashby Place in Southsea, Clarence Street near Commercial Road, Stubbington Avenue in North End and Wooton Street in Cosham.

Meanwhile, Gosport Borough Council is offering two hours of free parking in South Street in the town centre, as well as Flower Buidings and Marine Parade in Lee-on-the-Solent.

There is also one-hour stay on-street parking around Gosport High Street, monitored by Hampshire County Council.

No such initiatives have been introduced in Fareham or Havant.

Cllr Steve Pitt, deputy leader of Portsmouth

City Council, said: ‘Once again we are committed to supporting a safe re-opening of businesses in the city and will be working closely with retailers to make sure they are managing their queues to make it as safe as possible for everyone using the high street.

‘Remember there are lots of smaller, independent businesses across the city who really need your support.’

Leader of Gosport

Borough Council, Cllr Mark Hook, added: ‘It’s important that we encourage people to use local businesses for their Christmas shopping – they’ve had a torrid time this year so it’s great to have that incentive there.

‘With the short stays it’s the equivalent of having 4,000 parking spots each day.

‘For the independents, the government has tried to help out with grants and everything, but I would ask people in Gosport to support their local traders. There is so much variety that there’s truly something for everyone – the high street is so much more than just coffee shops and charity shops, like some people suggest.’

Shoppers are reminded to follow the latest government guidelines around social distancing both when queuing and shopping, and to wear face coverings in shops, unless exempt.

Customers should also keep two metres from anyone outside of their household or support bubble when in enclosed spaces.