FREE parking throughout December across Southend town centre is set to boost business as the Christmas rush approaches.

Southend Council has announced that nine of the town centre car parks will be free to use for visitors and residents on each and every Sunday during December.

Late night shopping will also be boosted with free parking on Thursdays after 4pm, as well as a host of car parks offering free car parking on small business Saturday, on December 7.

A host of car parks will be free on Sundays and after 4pm on Thursdays throughout December.

  • Alexandra Street
  • Warrior Square
  • Seaway Car Park
  • Clarence Road
  • Tylers Avenue
  • York Road
  • University Square
  • Essex Street
  • Short Street

ON Small business Saturday, December 7, these cars parks will be free.

  • Ilfracombe Avenue
  • North Road
  • Hamlet Court Road
  • Elm Road, Leigh
  • North Street
  • Ceylon Road
  • Thorpe Bay, Broadway

In Basildon, the Towngate Surface car park is the only town centre car park owned by the council, Last year all of the council run car parks in Southend were made free on Thursday evenings and Sundays throughout December.

And praise has been heaped on the council for continuing with a scheme which supports the High Street at a time when businesses are often left struggling.

Suzanne Gloyne, manager of Southend Business Improvement District (BID) welcomed the initiative.

She said: “It’s fantastic to hear that the Council will be supporting the High Street in this way.

“I believe the free parking will encourage people to shop locally for their Christmas gifts.

“Just imagine, no more worrying about how much time is left on the meter, so you can come into town, enjoy the festive atmosphere, get a spot of lunch and buy pressies at your leisure.”

And Mrs Gloyne was over the moon to the see the free parking extended as well.

She added: “I’m also delighted that the council has extended the free parking to include Thursday afternoons and will support Small Business Saturday with no charges in the nearby llfracombe Avenue and North Road car parks.”

The nine car parks free on Sundays are Alexandra Street, Warrior Square, Seaway, Clarence Road, Tylers Avenue, York Road, University Square, Essex Street, Short Street.

Drivers can also get 30 minutes free parking on Sundays in December at London Road.

Larissa Reed, executive director for neighbourhoods and environment, said: “We are keen to entice residents and visitors to the town centre for their Christmas shopping to support local businesses and boost the local economy.

“In addition to this, the council is also offering free parking in seven local car parks as part of Small Business Saturday on December 7 and I hope residents use this opportunity to shop local.”

The seven car parks that will have free parking for Small Business Saturday are Ilfracombe Avenue, North Road, Hamlet Court Road, Elm Road in Leigh, North Street, Ceylon Road and Thorpe Bay Broadway.

Basildon Council-owned car parks in Billericay High Street and Wickford began to offer free weekend parking from May last year Basildon Council was contacted to ask if it was putting a scheme in place for additional free parking across its Billericay and Wickford car parks, but failed to respond before the Echo went to press.