Shoppers can park for free in Market Rasen and Gainsborough as they support local events and traders over the festive season.
West Lindsey District Council has agreed to waive parking fees in the council owned pay and display car parks in Market Rasen on Saturday 4 December.
Market Rasen Town Council is holding its Christmas event over the weekend Friday 3 and Saturday 4. It is hoped the decision will encourage shoppers to ‘Think Local and also support ‘Small Business Saturday’.
In addition, the Council has also waived parking charges at the council owned pay and display car parks in Gainsborough on Saturday 11 December. This is to support the Christmas Market in the town, which will also include stalls in Marshall’s Yard, Market Street and the Market Place.
The decision was unanimously supported by the Policy and Resources Committee following the recommendation by the Prosperous Communities Committee.
Cllr Owen Bierley, Leader of West Lindsey District Council, welcomed the decision. Speaking in support of the recommendation he said: “We are still in recovery phase from the worst restrictions of the pandemic but we need to do everything we can as a district council to support independent traders, especially independent traders and small traders so this is a pragmatic thing to do.”
Cllr Roger Patterson also supported the recommendation at the meeting. He said: “It’s an excellent idea, West Lindsey has one of the lowest car parking charges anywhere, certainly in Lincolnshire. If we can give people free parking in Market Rasen and Gainsborough for the Christmas markets, I hope people realise A that we offer value for money and B we have got excellent businesses in both places and places like Caistor and if we can attract people to come in, hopefully they will come back time and again.”
