Councils offering free parking incentives

Councils across Derbyshire have unveiled a series of parking incentives to attract shoppers and tourists.

Free parking and extended hours are among the offers available to shoppers in a bid to boost trade ahead of Christmas.

Amber Valley Borough Council is offering free parking from 13:00 GMT between 12 and 26 December across all its pay-and-display car parks.

The authority said "all other parking rules remain in place", including maximum stays and disabled bay restrictions.

Bolsover Borough Council, North East Derbyshire District Council and South Derbyshire Council already offer free parking in all council-run car parks year-round.

Erewash Borough Council is also offering free parking this December, compared to previous years when the offer was only on certain days.

Curtis Howard, lead member for planning and regeneration at the authority, said: "This year, parking in council-owned car parks in Ilkeston, Long Eaton, and Sandiacre will be free for the whole of December.

"Every day of the week, all day, starting on 1 December."

The council said free parking would be available all day and is also offering free parking at Long Eaton train station.

High Peak Borough Council is offering free parking in its pay-and-display car parks on Saturdays throughout December, on 6,13,30 and 27 December, as well as Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

The authority said there are still restrictions, such as how long you can park for.

Derbyshire Dales District Council is also offering free parking. It said parking will be free after 14:00 throughout December in all its pay and display car parks.

Derby City Council and Chesterfield Borough Council are not offering free parking.

The city council said it was offering "some parking offers" in the run up to Christmas.

The authority said it already provides discounted parking for most surface car parks through its parking app, MiPermit, where visitors can park all day for £4.

To "encourage as many people as possible to shop locally and support small businesses", the council said it is offering all-day parking at on-street pay and display location, plus Abbey Street and Little City car parks, for £2.50 on Saturday 6 December.

The council said the £2.50 charge will only be available when using the MiPermit app.

Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council's cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: "We offer a range of discounted parking options and various flexible parking permits that offer parking at a reduced rate all year round.

"Residents and visitors can access a diverse range of parking facilities across the town, with safe and secure car parks covered by an extensive network of CCTV cameras."

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