Decision

To suspend parking charges in the Council’s OFF STREET car parks only for the following periods:

• From 08:00 hrs on Friday 27 November 2026 to 18:00hrs on Sunday 29 November 2026;
• All day Saturday 5 December 2026;
• All day Saturday 12 December 2026; and
• All day Saturday 19 December 2026.

Suspending parking charges in relation to this decision means providing ‘FREE PARKING’ for the periods prescribed above in the Council’s OFF STREET car parks only in order to benefit local businesses and shoppers and to support the local economy and residents.

Enforcement for non-payment of advertised fees will be suspended for the periods prescribed in this decision but ALL other parking contraventions, eg not parking within a designated bay, will continue to be enforced in accordance with the Council’s Parking Order.

For the avoidance of doubt, NO ticket will need to be obtained from any OFF STREET parking machine in the Council’s OFF STREET car parks to qualify for ‘free parking’ during the prescribed periods.

The OFF STREET car parks covered by this decision are:

• Bargate Green
• Custom House Quay
• Cattle Market
• Botolph Street
• Doughty Quay
• West End
• St George's Road
• Artillery Row
• Maud Street
• Buoy Yard
• Victoria Place
• Staniland
• George Street
• Spayne Road
• Tunnard Street

ON STREET Parking charges will remain at Pump Square, Market Place, South Square, Station Approach and Wide Bargate.

No refunds of any tickets purchased during the prescribed periods, or App payments made will be eligible nor will there be any partial refund of any season ticket or other payments.

Reasons for the decision

Cabinet, as confirmed by the Leader and Deputy Leader, wish to see the suspension of parking charges in the Council’s OFF STREET car parks for the periods prescribed in this decision in order to support local businesses, shoppers and the local economy in the lead up to Christmas 2026.

Alternative options considered

Not to offer free parking for the period.