Free parking for weekend shopping in Central City

Greater usage of weekend free parking in Central City .

The Christchurch City Council’s move to boost business in Central City is showing promise with a jump in Saturday shoppers using its Tuam and Manchester street car parks.

While Sunday is still a slow day in the parking lots, says Team Leader Off-Street Parking, Karen Scott, usage is expected to increase as the awareness of the free parking grows.

The Council offers free parking at the two car park at either ends of the Central City to encourage people to come back to the Central City and shop in the weekend.
It will cost the Council almost $12,000 in lost revenues and payment of $3120 for operating costs.

Ms Scott says that occupancy rate is consistently increasing, indicating a growing number of people are being lured back to the Central City.

"Saturdays are particularly busy now," she says, adding that initially Saturdays were rather slow also.

The free parking offer works in tandem with the Council’s programme of sprucing up the City Mall and other Central City sites earmarked for revitalisation.

Weekend shoppers have the option of using either the Tuam Street car park or the Manchester Street car park to have access to the centre of the City. Both venues sport a large electronic FREE sign on its Real Tine Information Sign at the weekend.

Free Parking is from 9 am to 5.45 pm.