Free parking praise

Date published: 19 November 2013


OLDHAM Council has won praise for its commitment to helping small local businesses by offering three hours of free parking in the town centre.

The council is one of 27 local authorities who will be taking part in Small Business Saturday on December 7.

Organised by national group the Forum of Private Business, the inaugural event will celebrate small businesses across the UK and is the culmination of a campaign to encourage communities to shop local and support their small businesses.

Forum chief executive Phil Orford said: “Free parking is a proven benefit to small businesses.

“Parking charges discourage many consumers from shopping on the high street, diminishing small businesses’ customer base.

“The Forum believes removing these charges will help generate the conditions needed to make Small Business Saturday UK a great success.

“The response from many councils has been really encouraging.

“It’s great to see local authorities are prepared to take this step to support their local small business community.”

Free parking for three hours will be available in the council’s off-street town centre car parks though drivers still need to display a ticket.