Free parking to aid festive trade

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_west/8391271.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A council is to introduce free parking in the week before Christmas for the second year in a bid to encourage people to shop locally.

It comes into effect throughout Gwynedd on 19 December and will remain in place until 3 January.

Council leader Dyfed Edwards said the scheme would play a part in helping the shops and businesses which are the cornerstone of the economy.

Business people across the county welcomed the move.

"More and more people are waking up to the benefits of shopping locally, and Christmas is the perfect time to back local businesses and to find all kinds of unique gift ideas," said Mr Edwards.

He added that the same free parking scheme had been run last year and there had been "positive feedback" from shopkeepers and businesses from all over the county.

Geraint Hughes, joint owner of the Bwtri food shops in Pwllheli and Porthmadog, said: "I'm sure it will encourage people to shop locally".

Debra Harris, chair of the Discover Dolgellau tourism group, said: "This is a real boost to town centre businesses at a time when retail competition is at its most fierce".