The council say that their car parks in the town are to either be made free or reduced to get people shopping in Blackpool.



Its after traders complained that people were being put off shopping by the roadworks. From Monday Central Car Park will be free all day every day until the 31st December.

Car parks on East Topping Street, Talbot Road and West Street will be £1 a day. The deal's been struck with the help of the Business Improvement District.

Last-minute shoppers are also being given an extra Christmas bonus with free parking on its town centre car parks on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 December. These include West Street, East Topping Street, Central and Talbot multi-storey car parks.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We try to support both businesses and shoppers where we can, which is why the free parking offer on Central car park is running for the whole of December, including the week between Christmas and New Year, so shoppers will be able to take full advantage of the seasonal sales too.

“We want shoppers to enjoy their time in Blackpool town centre and hope that the discounted and free parking offers will encourage people to do their Christmas shopping and benefit from the diverse range of both small firms and bigger retailers that we have here in Blackpool.”

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Business and Economic Development, said: “We have listened to feedback and are working with local traders to continue to promote all that is great about Blackpool town centre.”

A spokesperson for the Blackpool BID Board said: “It’s great news that the council have listened to the businesses and ourselves and agreed to offer free parking from Monday 4 December.

“Some retailers are really concerned with the challenges they are facing as a consequence of the road works that are currently in place in the town centre. The businesses agreed that free parking was one of the best options to try and kick start Christmas shopping."