Call for free parking in Oswestry for Christmas run-in to attract shoppers
Oswestry's traders today demanded free afternoon parking in every car park in the town in the run-up to Christmas in a bid to woo shoppers.
The calls come as Oswestry Town councillors discussed plans for two new major events earmarked for next year, aimed at bringing an economic boost to the area.
Bosses at Oswestry Chamber of Commerce say they will write to Shropshire Council urging it to offer to make its car parks free from 2pm for two weeks in December.
They are also calling on Oswestry Town Council to carry on supporting the free parking initiative.
The town council has agreed to the free parking offer in recent years but Shropshire Council has not backed the initiative in the past. It has, though, offered free parking on Bailey Head at certain times through December.
Oswestry traders say their town has much to offer, from a host of independent stores alongside high street names, to special events running throughout the year.
Chamber of Commerce chairman Neil Jenkins said the chamber was writing to both Oswestry Town council and Shropshire Council asking for the car parks in the town to be free from 2pm each day from December 12 to Christmas eve.
"There has to be a fee for parking in Oswestry. If it was free then people would simply park there all day whether or not they were bringing anything to the economy.
"But a two week afternoons-only offer does, we believe, bring Christmas shoppers to Oswestry."
"The town council has agreed to the preferential rates in the past. We are hoping that this year Shropshire Council will join in the free from 2pm scheme.
Mr Jenkins said retailers in the town were doing their best to put across to people how much the town had to offer.
"Oswestry has huge potential there are a lot of people who work really hard to provide something for the town," he said.
Simon Jones, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for highways, said: "We will look individually at any requests for Christmas parking initiatives, but in Oswestry we do already offer some alternative support, such as free temporary parking at Bailey Head during December; something which we will consider offering again this year."
