COUNCIL AND BedfordBID ANNOUNCE PARKING INCENTIVES TO BOOST CHRISTMAS TRADE
Bedford Borough Council and BedfordBID are delighted to announce a range of parking initiatives to boostBedfordtown centre in the run up to Christmas.
As businesses in Bedford gear up for their busiest time of the year, the Council and BedfordBID are working together to encourage even more people to shop in Bedford and create a vibrant town centre this Christmas.
· Late-night Christmas shopping starts on Wednesday 30th November, with town centre parks open until 9pm every Wednesday evening.
· A week of late night shopping then follows from 19th December with town centre car parks opening for longer to help last minute shoppers.
· Bars and restaurants in the town centre will also get a boost as Lurke Street car park will open until 2am, 7 days a week from Thursday 1st December (excluding Christmas Day).
· Queen Street car park will also be open between 9am-6pm on Sunday 4th, 11th and 18th December
Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "We know Christmas is a vitally important time for Bedford businesses and that is why we are working with BedfordBID on this broad range of initiatives to boost trade in the town centre during this busy period.
"We have frozen car park charges for two years and I am pleased to announce extended opening hours at our town centre car parks with Lurke Street car park open until 2am, 7 days a week from Thursday 1st December, excluding Christmas Day. I hope that this will encourage more people into the town centre for shopping as well as enjoying the excellent evening entertainment which is also on offer.
"However, extending the opening hours of our car parks is just one part of efforts to boost Bedford during the Christmas period. The Christmas Lights switch on takes place on the 29th November and the popular Victorian Christmas Fair returns on 9th, 10th and 11th of December.
"We believe Christmas in Bedford town centre will be a brilliant festive period for residents and businesses alike."
Christina Rowe, Director of BedfordBID, said: "All multi-storey car parks will be open until 9pm to fit with Late Night Christmas shopping on Wednesdays and again every evening during the week of December 19th for those who like to leave their shopping later.
"BedfordBID will be promoting these extra boosts for local businesses in shops and bars and in the car parks themselves while retailers will also be making their own announcements too.
"We are also working with the Council and local businesses to make a big splash when the St Mary's Street repair works finish and I am sure these incentives to encourage people into the town centre will help to kick-start a bustling town-centre at Christmas."