Shoppers offered one hour free parking in Council pay & display car parks.

Members of Craven District Council’s Policy Committee have agreed to give residents one hour free parking until 10am in all the Pay & Display car parks in the run up to and over the Christmas period.

Parking fees will be suspended daily between 9am and 10am between 1 December 2009 and 3 January 2010. The initiative will be monitored to assess the impact on local towns and traffic movements. The free parking comes following a request put forward by Skipton Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

Councillor Knowles-Fitton commented: “Giving an hours free parking will be welcomed by both traders and residents. We’re looking at ways of supporting local businesses and the thinking behind this is to encourage residents to come and shop in their local towns. Waiving parking charges at the end of the day works well in other areas of the country so we’re hoping that doing so at the beginning of the day will be just as beneficial.

"Skipton Chamber of Trade and Commerce feel that this would be a good incentive to shop in Skipton and we are delighted to be able to make this possible during what is one of the busiest shopping times during the year.”

Joan Evans, President of Skipton Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that this initiative has been taken forward by Craven District Council. Giving a free hour of parking at the beginning of the day will hopefully bring tourists and residents in to shop and this can only be good, not just for Skipton, but the other towns in Craven too.”