Parking attraction

Shoppers flocked to the town centre

TILLS were ringing in Oldham town centre as shoppers took advantage of the first weekend of free parking.

Shoppers and motorists hit the high street following Oldham Council’s bid to boost trade by offering free parking on Saturdays for the first three hours on all council-owned car parks.

The council and businesses were today assessing the success of the initiative,which will be available at 12 different venues across the town centre every Saturday until January 14, 2012.

Oldham’s main shopping complex, Spindles-Town Square, has also launched a series of free and cut-price parking offers in its multi-storey parking areas that begin on November 12, the day of the Reindeer Parade.

Saturdays will be £1 for the first three hours and Sundays free for the first four hours, until January 29, with late-night Thursdays free from 3pm onwards until December 22.