[03
JAN 01] CITY
CENTRE COMPANY NEWS
Free Parking Extended
As Shoppers Flock
A
range of free car parking offers in Coventry city centre has been extended
after proving a huge success in the run up to Christmas.
The
first hour on weekdays has been free in eight shoppers' car parks since
early November while shoppers have also been able to park in the Barracks
free of charge on weekdays after 2pm.
The
experiment, run in conjunction with a major marketing campaign, was
designed to retain existing shoppers and also attract newcomers to the
city.
Mark
Nicholls, Customer Service Manager of the City Centre Company, said it had
succeeded on both counts.
He
said:
"It
was a major step which was expected to cost around £200,000 in car park
revenues, but it has proved so successful that it broke even quite
quickly and has now brought in money because it encourages people to
stay longer in the city.
"In
turn, that means that traders must also be feeling the benefits which
was the whole point of the exercise.
"The
first hour free in the eight car parks - West Orchards, Barracks, the
ground floor of Leigh Mills, Pool Meadow, Belgrade, Bond Street, Queen
Victoria Road and Greyfriars East - will carry on until the end of
January, while free parking in the Barracks on weekdays after 2pm will
run indefinitely.
"That
is on top of the free parking all day on Sundays in Barracks and West
Orchards which is also running.
"Coventry
is an easy city in which to shop in terms of its size and convenience
and these offers make it even more attractive. Everyone connected with
the city centre has a duty to do everything realistically possible to
help boost trade and this is another step towards that.
"We
realise that numbers decline after Christmas but we are determined to
keep going the momentum that has been established until well into the
New Year."
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