When and where to get free parking in Kettering and Corby this Christmas as well as extended opening hours for Wellingborough's multi-storey

As part of the Christmas festivities and to support local businesses, the council will be offering free parking in Kettering and Corby town centres on the following Saturdays - December 6, December 13 and December 20.

This applies to all council pay and display car parks in Kettering and Corby town centres, excluding Corby railway station car park.

In Wellingborough, the Commercial Way multi-storey car park will remain open until 10pm from December 1 through to the end of the pantomime season at The Castle theatre.

Cllr Chris McGiffen, the council’s executive member for highways and travel, said: “We are delighted to be offering free parking in Kettering and Corby on three Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas, as well as extending the opening hours for the multi-storey car park in Wellingborough.

"We hope that schemes like this give our high streets a boost - encouraging residents to shop locally and explore local businesses.”

Cllr Martin Griffiths, leader of North Northants Council, said: “As a council, we’re keen to support local businesses all year round.

"But with Christmas being such a key time for many businesses, including the wonderful Castle theatre in Wellingborough, and the nighttime economy - it’s great that we’re able to offer free parking in Kettering and Corby and extended parking for the multi-storey car park in Wellingborough.”

Saturday, December 6 is Small Business Saturday, a campaign which encourages shoppers to shop local.

As part of this, the council’s Hi Street campaign will be shining a spotlight on local business owners sharing their stories.

There will also be a festive giveaway running on Hi Street social media channels for Small Business Saturday, giving residents the chance to win a voucher to spend with a local business in our area.

Alongside this, the council will also be promoting the support available for small businesses, including business advice, guidance and funding opportunities to help small businesses to start, grow and access useful information.

The Hi Street Christmas campaign this year will include promotion to encourage people to shop local as they prepare for Christmas.

A new Christmas advert titled ‘What does Christmas mean to you?’ will launch in early December, reminding people to experience the magic of the High Street during the festive season and give the gift of local.

Parking arrangements remain in place in all other car parks across North Northants.

More details about changes to council services over Christmas will be available on the council’s website.