Free Saturday parking for Kettering and Corby town centres this December at NNC sites - but not Northampton
North Northamptonshire Council is offering free Saturday parking in a bid to help people to shop locally during the festive season
As with previous years, North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) will be offering free parking in council-owned car parks in Kettering and Corby town centres on Saturdays throughout December.
Free parking will be available in all council-owned pay and display car parks in Kettering and Corby town centres on December 5, 12 and 19, all Saturdays - but not Corby railway station car park.
The decision by Reform-led NNC comes in stark contrast to that of neighbouring West Northamptonshire Council whose leader Cllr Mark Arnull, also Reform, says free parking is “not a sustainable solution” as he launched an extraordinary attack on the Chronicle and Echo for its ‘Park the Charges’ campaign.
Cllr Martin Griffiths, leader of NNC, said: “With more people shopping online, town centre businesses are fighting for customers this festive period more than ever.
“With this in mind, we are keen to support by offering free parking on Saturdays in the lead up to Christmas so that families can shop together for presents and everything that makes this time of year so special.”
NNC’s Hi Street campaign will be championing the independent businesses in the area with a new ‘heartwarming’ advert.
Alongside the advert, the council will be celebrating Small Business Saturday with festive spotlights on local businesses and giveaways.
Cllr Chris McGiffen, North Northamptonshire Council's executive member for highways, waste and environment, said: "Christmas is a hugely important time for our town centres and local businesses, and we are pleased to once again offer free Saturday parking in Kettering and Corby throughout December.
"We know many residents enjoy shopping locally and supporting businesses on their doorstep in the run up to Christmas. This scheme helps make those visits a little easier while encouraging people to spend time in our town centres during the festive season.
"Separately, we're currently consulting on a draft parking strategy for North Northamptonshire, and I would encourage everyone to take part. While that consultation is ongoing, we're pleased to be able to offer free Saturday parking in Kettering and Corby again this Christmas."
The Chronicle and Echo launched its Park the Charges campaign on November 5, calling for free parking at all council-owned multi-storey and surface car parks, as well as the premium on-street parking, on Saturdays and Sundays from November 21 until December 20 – as well as Christmas Eve for last minute shoppers.
The Northampton Town Centre BID has expressed it is “supportive” of any measures to make the area “more attractive and accessible over the Christmas period”, while business owners have said the town centre will simply die if improvements are not made.
Cllr Arnull, Reform leader at WNC slammed the Chron’s campaign, calling it impartial ‘lobbying’.
In response, the Chron’s campaigning senior reporter Katie Wheatley said: “In the WNC leader’s column, he made the statement that “responsible local government cannot be reduced to whichever giveaway makes the easiest headline or generates the most social media clicks” – and this is not only an insult to us, but the town centre businesses we give a platform to. “