Yes, that's right, Merton Council is giving a much needed and most welcome boost to both shoppers and shopkeepers this Christmas by providing free parking in selected car parks across Wimbledon and Merton.
Parking will be free in every council-owned car park throughout Merton borough for each weekend from the 1 December 2012, leading up to Christmas Day, including Christmas Eve, which falls on a Monday.
Businesses in the borough have welcomed the council's decision to switch off the pay and display machines for the busiest four weekends in the retail calendar. The move will benefit thousands of Christmas shoppers and, to give an example, will mean the average Wimbledon shopper will save £6 for a four-hour shop on a Saturday.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis (pictured below) said: "We are working to make parking in Merton fair and affordable. These are challenging financial times for lots of people and this is our way of making Christmas a little lighter on the pocket. Merton has got lots to offer shoppers, so hopefully free council car parks will mean more people shopping locally."
Derick Ray, owner of Morden’s premier electrical retailer Powerhouse Supplies for the past 30 years, said: "This is great news for businesses in Merton. Making the council's car parks free in the weekends running up to Christmas will encourage more people to shop in Merton which is good for the local economy."
Dates when free parking is available:
December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23 and Christmas Eve.
The council's car parks are:
Wimbledon
- Broadway car park
- Hartfield Road car park
- Queens Road car park
- St George's Road car park
Mitcham
- Elm Nursery Car Park - London Road
- Raleigh Gardens Car Park
- St Mark's Road Car Park
- Sibthorpe Road Car Park
Morden
- Kenley Road car park
- Morden Station car park
- York Close car park
- Peel House lower level short stay car park
- Morden Park car park
Raynes Park
Hip! Hip! Hooray for this special treat - Thanks Merton Council and we're glad to see some positive and affirmative action.
