The news that Bedford Borough Council is to offer 2 hours free parking every day at Queen Street multi-storey car park for the whole of December has been welcomed by Conservative Cllr Roger Rigby.
The Conservative Group asked the Mayor in October to consider extending the Council’s free parking offer to assist Bedford town centre in competing with the cheaper parking available in Milton Keynes and Northampton. This suggestion has been taken up, albeit on a temporary basis, to offer Bedford’s businesses a ‘timely boost’ before Christmas.
Cllr Rigby, Conservative Group Spokesman, said:
‘Bedford town centre is recovering from one of the worst recessions in living memory whilst having to rise to the challenge of out of town retail and internet shopping. We have a competitor in Milton Keynes where there are thousands of spaces at a price of £0.50 an hour and in Northampton where they have at least 2 hours free parking every day of the week. Our businesses need all the help they can get in this challenging environment.
‘In October the Conservatives requested that the Mayor strengthen the Council’s free parking offer. I am pleased that the he has taken on this suggestion by introducing 2 hours free parking at Queen Street every day in December. This will be a timely boost for businesses over the Christmas period before charge increases come in from January.’