Free Christmas Parking Announced for Lancaster and Morecambe Shoppers

Lancaster Shoppers to Get Free Parking at Selected Times Before Christmas

Free Christmas Parking Announced for Shoppers in Lancaster and Morecambe Shoppers in Lancaster and Morecambe will be able to park for free at selected times this Christmas as part of an initiative designed to encourage people to shop locally. The free parking offer has been agreed following consultation with the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Lancaster and Morecambe. The initiative will apply to all Lancaster City Council town centre car parks, including the St Nics multi-storey car park, which is now open until 11pm. When will Christmas parking be free? Free parking will be available on Sundays between November 29 and December 20, giving shoppers several opportunities to visit Lancaster and Morecambe during the run-up to Christmas. Drivers will also be able to park for free after 3pm on Thursday, December 17. The offer will then run every day from 3pm between December 21 and December 24, covering the final days before Christmas. The scheme is intended to support local shops and encourage residents to visit town centres during one of the busiest retail periods of the year. Which car parks are included? The free parking offer applies to Lancaster City Council's town centre car parks. However, drivers should check where the offer applies before parking because it does not include on-street parking. The Marketgate car park is also excluded, along with other privately operated parking facilities in Lancaster and Morecambe. This means the free parking arrangements will not apply automatically to every parking space or car park in the two towns. Christmas parking aims to support local businesses David Waddington, Chair of Morecambe BID, said the period leading up to Christmas was particularly important for local retailers. He said free parking could encourage shoppers to visit local businesses and highlighted the timing of the offer alongside Morecambe's Festive Christmas Market on Saturday, December 19. For drivers planning Christmas shopping trips, the temporary offer provides specific periods when council-run town centre car parks can be used without a parking charge. Drivers should still check the signs and parking conditions at their chosen car park, particularly when using facilities that are not operated by Lancaster City Council. The free parking arrangements are limited to the stated dates and times, so normal parking charges can still apply outside those periods.