Herefordshire Council have been working with town councils, Hereford City Council and Hereford Business Improvement District to offer free parking in council car parks for the following events:
- Kington winter food and drink festival: Saturday 4 December (the event has hired the car parks for a second day of free parking on Friday 3 December)
- Ledbury Christmas lights switch on: Saturday 4 December
- Leominster Victorian Fair: Saturday 11 December
- Support Ross on Wye shopping: Saturday 11 December
- Hereford late night shopping: after 4pm in Hereford on Wednesdays 8, 15 and 22 December (including the Old Market).
This includes all council public car parks and on-street pay and display bays. The free parking offered does not apply to any private car parks unless stated.
As usual, it is free parking in the market towns every Sunday and after 6pm.
Search for other seasonal events across the county here: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/events.
Cllr Harrington says:
“We have liaised with the city and town councils and key stakeholders to offer some free parking in the run up to Christmas.
“I encourage all those who can to visit your local shops and support them after what has been a challenging period. As well as the free parking on certain days and evenings, it’s worth reminding people to take advantage of our free weekend bus travel.”
The Hereford Business Improvement District, a representative of over 500 businesses in Hereford, will be putting on world class walkabout performers and live music in High Town on Wednesday 15th, Saturday 18th, Sunday 19th and Wednesday 22nd under their consumer brand, Hereford City Life. There will also be street music on Wednesday 8thDecember.
Free parking is offered on Wednesdays from 8thDecember until and including 22nd December, after 4pm in all council pay and display car parks in the city centre including Maylord Shopping Centre, Old Market Shopping Centre and on-street parking. Friar Street and private car parks are excluded from this offer.
Hereford BID’s Chief Executive, Mike Truelove said, “This year, Herefordshire Council offered the shopping centres, City Council and Hereford BID a choice as to when they wanted the free parking shopping nights in Hereford, with up to 5 days being available. Based on 6 years of footfall data, and national consumer habits, we consulted with partners and unanimously felt it a better use of the offer to take 3 late nights this year and use the remaining time early in 2022, when shops need a lift. Traditionally there have been 5 free parking nights on Wednesday’s leading up to Christmas, starting the first Wednesday after Armistice Day in November. However, from experience we know these earlier free parking nights are generally not used by the public who increasingly prefer to leave it closer to Christmas before making a day/ evening of it. Shops also have the difficult decision each year as to whether to open late for free parking so early in the season when the footfall is not always there – the public simply feel it is too early to come out, preferring to wait until the last few weeks before the big day”.
At the request of the Hereford BID and in consultation with partners, the remaining 2 days given from Herefordshire Council for free parking has been allocated for Saturday 12thFebruary (from midday) where the Hereford BID (under its consumer brand Hereford City Life) will lead on a valentines themed campaign of entertainment and consumer offers to entice shoppers in. The Saturday is considered a premium day and thus will use up the 2 days credit. More information will be issued closer to the day.
Hereford BID is a non-profit private company (limited) funded by 500 businesses in the city centre. The organisation has 3 core strands underpinning its business plan, a document based on feedback from its member businesses on what they want to see happen, these are: i) High Profile Hereford – Marketing and Events ii) The Hereford Experience – Safe and Clean iii) Business Voice – Lobbying & Support. The company is run by up to 15 board directors who are also levy paying members.
