Council car parks freebie will support local businesses
Ealing Council is to introduce free parking in all 17 of the car parks it runs on four weekends in January.
The Council agreed eight days of free parking in a bid to attract more shoppers to local town centres and help boost trade during the January sales period.
The four weekends are: 3-4; 10-11; 17-18 and 24-25 January 2009.
The free January weekend parking will only apply to car parks run by Ealing Council and people parking in private car parks or using on-street parking meters will still need to purchase a ticket.
The news is on top of an announcement earlier this year that the Council will continue to freeze parking charges in its car parks for two more years.
Councillor Jason Stacey, Leader of the Council said: “In these difficult financial times local traders need all the support they can get.
“Over these four weekends in January we hope that local people will take advantage of this incentive and shop locally.
“We have some excellent local businesses in the borough and they are an essential part of our community. I hope people will reacquaint themselves with their local shops and make the most of free parking on these weekends.”
Barry Aylott, Manager at Chris Blakes butchers on Greenford Broadway, said: “This seems like a very sensible move by the Council. I’m pleased shoppers will be able to benefit from this free parking. I’m sure it will entice more people to shop locally and help improve trade.”
Owner of Very Cosmopolitan Café in Acton, Mrs Magdalena Ben-Othman, said: “Opening the Council's car parks up for free parking for four weekends is a terrific idea. Hopefully more people will be out and about in Acton and will take the opportunity to pop in for a drink or bite to eat. I'm sure this initiative will increase overall trade and footfall and is much needed in these difficult economic times.”
Drivers parking in the following car parks will benefit from free parking:
• Arden Road, West Ealing
• Churchfield Road, Acton
• Dean Gardens, West Ealing
• Featherstone Terrace, Southall
• George Street, Hanwell
• Greenford Broadway, Greenford
• Herbert Road, Southall
• Norwood Road car parks, Southall
• Horsenden Lane South, Perivale
• Salisbury Street, Acton
• Singapore Road multi-storey, West Ealing
• Singapore Road surface car park, West Ealing
• South Ealing Road, South Ealing
• Springbridge Road multi-storey, Ealing Broadway
• Ealing Town Hall, Ealing Broadway
• Witham Road, West Ealing
The following car parks, which are owned but not operated by the Council, are not included:
• Gurnell Leisure Centre car park, West Ealing
• Roslin Road car park, Acton
• Perivale Station car park
• Melville Villas Road car park, Acton
Charging for weekend parking will resume on Saturday, 31 January 2009.
December 17, 2008