Free Saturday parking for Christmas shoppers

Beginning this Saturday (December 2) and then continuing on December 9, 16 and 23, the offer extends to all town centre car parks, the Transport Interchange, Mill House Leisure Centre and on-street parking in the Church Street area.

This is the fifth successive year that Hartlepool Borough Council has decided to waive charges in a move designed to boost town centre trade and ease the burden on financially-squeezed shoppers.

Councillor Dave Hunter, Chair of the Council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee, said: “The free Saturday parking offer has proved very popular in previous years and we hope it is well received again.

“Lots of families are under pressure financially and this is one way that the Council can offer them a little bit of support.”

Councillor Kevin Cranney, Chair of the Regeneration Services Committee, added: “While the Council faces its own severe financial pressures due to on-going Government cuts, we want to do everything we possibly can to support local businesses.

“Car parking charges are a factor in people deciding where to do their Christmas shopping and we hope the decision to waive charges on these four Saturdays will encourage more residents and people from outside the town to come into Hartlepool town centre.”

The town’s multi-storey car park which is normally closed on Sundays will be open every Sunday throughout December.

The Council will also be keeping its town centre car parks open until 7.30pm (normal closing time 6pm) to support late opening at the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre on December 20, 21, 22 and 23.