Shrewsbury BID launches free Sunday car parking for Bank Holiday weekends
News from our partners Shrewsbury BID
Shrewsbury BID is launching free all-day car parking in the town on Sunday 25 May 2014, as part of a new Bank Holiday weekend initiative to benefit shoppers and support traders.
Working in partnership with Shropshire Council, the two-part initiative will see free all-day parking on Sunday 25 May and Sunday 24 August 2014 in Shropshire Council’s car parks in Shrewsbury town centre, and most of the privately-run car parks.
The free offer will enable visitors to enjoy the town’s independent and national retailers, food and drink outlets and attractions, without worrying that time has elapsed on their parking tickets.
The first free Sunday coincides with the Shrewsbury Cycle Grand Prix, and will help make Shrewsbury a must-visit town over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Shrewsbury BID manager Kirsten Henly said:
“The is one of the BID’s first initiatives, and is a direct response to feedback from BID members who have told us they want to see more for support for local trading, which includes developing a more competitive car parking offer. It forms part of a broader plan for the BID to engage with the council on ways to improve both car parking and accessibility and support growth in the town.”
Claire Wild, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, added:
“Parking is an important issue in Shrewsbury, which makes this announcement even more pleasing. It’s great to see businesses pro-actively working together for the good of the town, and it was something we as a council were very keen to see happen, following on from our own free parking offers and 15-minute grace period initiatives. I hope by working with the BID we can look at further ideas to support businesses in Shrewsbury.”
Free car parking on Bank Holiday Sundays in Shrewsbury town centre will take place on 25 May and 24 August, and the initiative will add to Shropshire Council’s policy for free car parking on Bank Holidays on their surface car parks in the town centre. Visitors to the pay and display car parks in the town centre will not need to pay the normal car parking charges displayed on the machines.
The car parks included in the initiative are Abbey Foregate Long Stay Car Park, Barker Street Car Park, Bridge Street Short Stay Car Park, Frankwell Main Long Stay Car Park, Frankwell Quay Short Stay Car Park, Frankwell Riverside Short Stay Car Park, Raven Meadows Multi Storey Car Park, Raven Meadows Car Park, St Austin’s Short Stay Car Park, St Julian’s Friar’s Long Stay Car Park, and The Tannery Short Stay Car Park.
For more information visit www.shrewsburybid.co.uk, or find Shrewsbury on Facebook www.facebook.com/originalshrewsbury and Twitter @originalshrews.
For more press information contact Claire Brown or Rachael Jones on 01743 234224 or email clairebrown@seal.uk.com or rachaeljones@seal.uk.com.
Further information
The BID (Business Improvement District) will see companies levied for 1.5 per cent of their rateable value, bringing in more than £300,000 per year over the five-year BID term.
The BID achieved a YES from businesses in November 2013 after 76 per cent of companies voted in favour of the BID being established. It became operational in April 2014.
