Free parking for festive season - Wakefield Council’s offer to boost trade

Wakefield Council is offering a free service after 3pm on Thursdays at its on-street parking spaces and off-street car parks, excluding Merchant Gate multi-storey in November and December.

The free parking will be on offer in Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford, on Thursday, November 26, December 3, 10, 17 and 24.

Coun David Dagger, the council’s cabinet member for transport and highways, said: “We want to encourage more people to do their Christmas shopping locally.

“I am pleased we are able to offer free parking in Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford from 3pm on five consecutive Thursdays in the run-up to Christmas.

“We hope that this will give a boost to our local retailers and benefit residents and visitors into the district.”

The council said the scheme does not include free parking in privately-run car parks or Merchant Gate multi-storey car park.

The Ridings shopping centre will also offer free parking on Thursdays from 3pm.

It will start on Thursday, November 12 and the centre will also be open until 8pm every Thursday until Christmas.

For more information or details of council-owned car parks across the district visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/carparks