Council delivers free town centre parking for Christmas
Rugby Borough Council launches the festive free parking offer on Saturday 21 November - the day of the Christmas lights switch-on celebration - with visitors able to park for free all day on the five weekends leading up to Christmas Day.
And last-minute Christmas shoppers can park for free at all council-operated car parks on the final four shopping days before the big day - Monday 21 to Thursday 24 December - to support town centre businesses and the council's 'Shop Rugby' campaign.
The free parking offer applies at the following town centre car parks:
- North Street
- Little Church Street
- Railway Terrace
- Old Market Place
- John Barford
- Newbold Road
- Town Hall/Evreux Way
- Gas Street
- Chestnut Fields
- Westway
Cllr Louise Robinson, leader of Rugby Borough Council, urged residents to take advantage of the free parking offer and support the town centre.
"Our plan to revitalise Rugby town centre is delivering results - for example each town centre event this year has increased visitor numbers by up to 20 per cent compared to the same event last year," Cllr Robinson said.
"The Christmas period is vital for businesses and the free all day parking offer aims to encourage more visitors to come to town and stay for longer during the festive season."
Following the Christmas lights switch-on event on Saturday 21 November, the town centre hosts a Christmas market on Saturday 28 November and a lantern parade on Saturday 19 December.
Full details of the town centre Christmas events programme look set to be announced next week.
Cllr Jerry Roodhouse, deputy leader of the council, said: "I would urge residents to support local businesses in town and take advantage of the free parking offer, which I hope will help the local economy.
"Shop local for Christmas."
The free parking offer applies to the weekends of 21 and 22 November, 28 and 29 November, 5 and 6 December, 12 and 13 December, and 19 and 20 December, with free all-day parking also available on 21, 22, 23 and 24 December.
The offer only applies to the council-operated car parks listed and does not apply to private car parks or Warwickshire County Council's on-street parking.
For more information on the Christmas events programme, visit www.therugbytown.co.uk or follow The Rugby Town on social media.
For more information on town centre car parks, visit www.rugby.gov.uk/parking