Free parking extended to help traders

Sep 27 2008 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

CHESTER City Council has agreed to extend its successful “Free after Three” parking scheme until next year – and include an extra car park.

The initiative, aimed at maintaining a thriving and busy city centre all day, began in July and within weeks increased footfall after 3pm by more than 20%.

It was due to end in October but, following a review, has now been extended to March 31, 2009.

The scheme allows shoppers to park free after 3pm at city council-run car parks on Princess Street and Gorse Stacks and after the council’s executive move will now include St Anne’s Street car park, behind Brook Street, in Newtown.

Deputy city council leader Stephen Mosley, who helped set up the trial, said: “City centre retailers have not suffered from the credit crunch as badly as feared, and are coping better than in other towns and cities across the UK.”