Late Night Shopping & Free Parking

Bournemouth Town Centre BID & Bournemouth Council Collaboration Increases Free Christmas Car Parking

• Working in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council, Bournemouth Town Centre BID are delighted to announce increased free car parking across town for visitors over key dates this Christmas period.

With the Christmas period fast approaching, collaboration between Bournemouth Town Centre BID and Bournemouth Borough Council has resulted in a significant rise in the amount of free car parking which will be available in no less than 13 locations across the town centre on selected dates from the 16^th November.  Representing the interests of local businesses, Bournemouth Town Centre BID has worked with the council to address concerns over the impact of lane restrictions on the A338 and provide further incentive for visitors to Bournemouth this Christmas.

Supporting the two main events in the lead up to Christmas, the opening of the Christmas Tree Wonderland on the 16^th November and Black Friday on 23^rd November, Bournemouth’s major multi-storey shopping car parks on Avenue Road and Richmond Gardens will be free to park in from 4 pm until midnight. In addition, free parking will be available every evening from 6 pm until midnight in Madeira Road car park and Avenue Road car park between the 16^th November and the end of traffic restrictions on the A338 Bournemouth Spur Road, currently scheduled for 10^th December.

Bournemouth Borough Council’s yearly provision of free car parking on Sundays and Thursday evenings will return this year in selected car parks but this year it will also include the Avenue Road car park.

Free parking will be available all day Sunday on the following dates; 25^th November, 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th 23^rd, December. From 4 pm on Thursday evenings, free car parking will also be available on the following dates; 29^th November, 6^th, 13^th, 20^th December.

The car parks included are: Avenue Road, Richmond Gardens Multi-Storey, Eden Glen, Central, Richmond Hill, Winter Gardens, Braidley Road Bridge, West Hill, Town Hall Forecourt, Town Hall Extension, Town Hall Annexe, and 9/11 St Stephens Road.

Martin Davies, Town Centre BID Chairman, said:

“Many of our town centre businesses have expressed the need for increased free parking provisions this Christmas period. Acting on their behalf, the BID discussed this with Bournemouth Borough Council who were positively responsive to our request.

Complimenting the Christmas Tree Wonderland and other town centre attractions, the increase in free car parking represents another strong enhancement to Bournemouth town centre’s superb visitor experience this Christmas.”

Leader of the Council, Cllr John Beesley, said:

“We are pleased to have been part of the ongoing, constructive and open dialogue with Bournemouth Town Centre BID about the pressures traders and retailers currently face.  We also recognise that most rely on the crucial Christmas period for trading.  Already working with the BID to offer fabulous and exciting new Christmas attractions this year, we are pleased to extend that support to increase the Christmas car parking offer in Bournemouth. I very much hope this will lead to an upturn in town centre visitors to shop, eat, relax and generally soak up our amazing festive atmosphere.”