Darlington retailers set to benefit from festive free parking parking

Darlington retailers can look forward to a bumper Christmas, after a special incentive to offer free parking in the run-up to the festive season has been given the green light.

A campaign by business improvement district, Distinct Darlington, to run a “free after 3” parking scheme from Saturday December 7 up to Tuesday December 24 was last night (Nov 5) rubber stamped at a Cabinet meeting of Darlington Borough Council.

The scheme initially was set to run in just off-street council car parks but has been extended to include Duke Street and Grange Road after a push by Distinct Darlington to include those further areas.

And that means good news for shoppers who can now come to the town centre in the afternoon and enjoy some festive retail therapy without incurring any parking charges after 3pm.

Alex Hirst, manager at Distinct Darlington, said: “We’re delighted that this initiative has been supported by the council and we believe this will give a massive boost to takings in the run up to Christmas.

“The majority of independent retailers have told us they would stay open later if the parking was free and now that is the case it should not only keep local people shopping in the town but hopefully will bring people in from further afield.

“It’s great news for the entire town and we’re really pleased to have been successful in getting this scheme approved.”

Councillor David Lyonette, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport said: “The “free after 3” parking scheme will mean that more people can visit Darlington Town Centre to get their Christmas shopping done, meaning more choice for shoppers and a fantastic boost for our wonderful local retailers.”

The “free after 3” will run from Monday to Saturday from the first week in December right up until Christmas Eve.

The festive parking initiative has also been adopted by the town’s Cornmill Shopping Centre after its owners, Moorfield Group, were approached by Distinct Darlington.

The Cornmill has agreed to provide free parking after 3pm Monday to Saturday (with free parking as normal on a Sunday) throughout the whole of December. Susan Young, Cornmill’s centre manager, said: “We are delighted to be involved with the “free after 3” initiative, which will act as an added incentive for shoppers coming into the town in the run up to Christmas.

“The Cornmill, and wider town centre, has so much to offer as a retail destination, with an extensive range of high street and independent stores on offer, and free parking, coupled with late night opening, will only boost this appeal.”

It is the latest in a long line of initiatives being created by Distinct Darlington, the town’s business improvement district, which was set up to promote and encourage business in Darlington town centre.

This includes a television commercial, which is currently running to promote the town as a destination for shopping and socialising and a seasonal advert running early in December to publicise the vibrant Christmas offering available in the town centre.

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