Harrogate BID is funding free weekend parking to give town centre retailers a welcome post-Christmas and New Year lift.
Shoppers heading to the spa town over the next five Saturdays (January 21 and 28, and February 4, 11 and 18) will be able to park free of charge, between 10am and 6pm, in Victoria Car Park.
This comes hot on the heels of its ‘Free after Three’ initiative, where it funded free parking on the first four days of the week from Monday, December 5, until Thursday, January 5, 2023, and again designed to support retailers during the traditionally quieter days of the week.
On top of this, the business organisation is again sponsoring the ‘Sunday Freeway’ during the months of January and February, providing bus passengers with free travel into the town centre on The Harrogate Bus Company’s fleet of electric buses.
Harrogate BID Manager Matthew Chapman said: “This is one of the examples of how Harrogate BID is supporting town centre businesses, in particular those in the retail and hospitality sectors.
“Thanks to the efforts of a number of organisations, including Harrogate BID, businesses in retail and hospitality saw increased sales, including some reporting their best December in many years.
“By providing free parking in Harrogate over the next five Saturdays, we are giving residents and visitors an added incentive to come in to town to shop, eat and drink, to continue the positivity into the new year.
“Eight hours free parking gives people plenty of time to explore the great shops and enjoy a bite to eat in one of our many excellent bars, restaurants and cafes.”