Christmas shoppers can park for free on Saturdays in two Staffordshire areas

Shoppers will now be able to park for free in Burton and Uttoxeter on four Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas and New Year.

East Staffordshire Borough Council has waived parking charges on all council owned car parks every Saturday in December.

The is intended to support retailers and other businesses to maximise footfall by encouraging people to visit the town centres during the busy period.

Shoppers will be able to take advantage of the offer between 8am and 8pm in Burton and between 8am and 6pm in Uttoxeter.

The move to waive parking charges is set to cost £24,000 in lost parking income.

An executive decision signed by Councillor Simon Slater estimates the loss in revenue will be between £20,000 and £24,000.

The higher figure accounts for the possibility of a 20 per cent increase in demand.

However, the loss of revenue is expected to be covered within the existing car park income budget, with no additional financial pressure expected.

Councillor Simon Slater, cabinet member for communities and regulatory services, said: “By waiving parking charges on the specified days in the run up to Christmas, the Council will be supporting retailers and other businesses to maximise footfall.

“Saturdays have tended to be the busiest shopping days in the run up to Christmas and this action will essentially support those retailers and other businesses during this period.”

The council also warns that there is a risk that because of the free parking, visitors could stay longer and deny others the chance of free parking due to reduced turnover of spaces for other visitors. Additionally, the offer of free parking could encourage more people to drive into the town centres.