Free parking in Stafford and Stone gets underway on Saturday (7 December) after councillors gave it the green light.

Motorists will be able to park for free on the three Saturdays in the run up to Christmas following the decision at a meeting on Tuesday night (3rd).  

A motion to waive the charges on Stafford Borough Council car parks was unanimously backed in a move aimed at encouraging more people into the town centres to boost local businesses during the festive season.

The free car parking period would run throughout the day from this weekend - Saturday 7 December - and on the following two weeks - 14th and 21st - and would apply to all borough council managed car parks in the town centres - except the Riverside and Waterfront car parks in Stafford.

The move was welcomed by business leaders when it was put forward last month.  

The motion to council last night (Tuesday) was brought by the Leader and Deputy Leader, Councillors Aidan Godfrey and Rob Kenney, asking members to “approve the lifting of car parking fees” and stated that they hoped it would “help increase the number of people visiting our town centres at this very important time of the year for retail, hospitality, and other businesses.”  

Mary Walker, Chair of Stafford Town Centre Partnership, (STCP) said it was a great example of how the new STCP and borough council were working together for the benefit of the local economy and urged residents to take advantage of this free parking.  

Councillor Kenney, the cabinet member with responsibility for the town centres, said it had been another “challenging year for retailers.”  

He continued: “We all have to support our local businesses and I hope people take advantage of the free parking offer in Stafford and Stone.”

A list of Stafford Borough Council run car parks can be found at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/parking

Press Release No 6171