Scarborough and Whitby shoppers set to be given free Christmas parking when lockdown ends

Scarborough Borough Council wants to encourage shoppers to spend their Christmas pounds locally when the lockdown is lifted by suspending charges in some off-street car parks in both towns on Thursdays from 3pm on 3, 10, 17 and 24 December, and on Sundays from 11am to 4pm on 6, 13, 20 December.

The practice of offering free parking on Thursday and Sundays in the run-up to Christmas in the borough dates back to 1998.

The council’s portfolio holder for neighbourhoods Cllr Tony Randerson (Lab), will be asked to approve the annual measure on Wednesday.

In Scarborough, the car parks included are Castle Road, Falconers Road, Friarsway, King Street, North Street, North Terrace, St Nicholas Parade, St Thomas Street, Victoria Road, Westwood and William Street.

In Whitby Church Street, Cliff Street, Marina Back, Marina Front, Endeavour Wharf and St Hilda’s Terrace will all be available to shoppers.

A report, which will go before Cllr Randerson and was published before news of November’s lockdown broke adds: “All other car parks in Scarborough are unaffected by these proposals and charging will remain in place on those car parks.

“In addition, this does not affect on-street charges as these are under the control of North Yorkshire County Council and any income derived from on-street car parking is transferred to the county council.

“The practice of offering some form of free parking on the Council’s off-street car parks during the Christmas period had become established over the years.

“It is estimated that the cost to the council on concessions is in the region of £12,000 (less VAT).”

The second lockdown, which will come into force on Thursday, is scheduled to end on December 2, though yesterday Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove admitted that it could be extended if the number of infections has not fallen enough.

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