City woos shoppers with free parking

A six-week free parking initiative begins in Cork City today.

Traders are also finalising a voucher and giveaway package worth over €12,000 that they hope will attract people from all over the country to shop in the city centre.

Spurred on by the free parking deals, dozens of business-owners are working with the Cork Business Association to offer vouchers. Theatres have offered free tickets, restaurants are running meal deals and hotels have offered to cover weekend stays in a bid to boost pre-Christmas trade.

It is hoped that if the CBA voucher scheme proves successful, a more formal incentive scheme will be developed to link in with any future free parking initiatives the city may run.

City manager Tim Lucey announced the free parking initiative just over two weeks ago.

First introduced last year, resulting in a 4% increase in footfall over four weeks, Mr Lucey said this year’s scheme covering city-owned car parks has been extended to six weeks.

He said he had hoped to introduce a more structured free parking scheme, involving some of the city’s private car park operators.

However, despite several meetings with business leaders, that didn’t materialise, he said.

Private operators Q-Park are offering some €1,000 in vouchers to motorists who park in their facilities during October, and Merchants Quay car park has free parking on Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm. Mr Lucey said he hopes more will come on board.

“I think at this stage it’s really down to the CBA to do what they can to encourage more private operators to get on board,” he said.

From today, motorists will be able to park for free during certain hours at selected city council-owned car parks, including:

nFree parking in Paul St and North Main St car parks between 10am and noon Monday to Thursday;

nFree parking in Paul St car park from 6.30pm to midnight on Thursdays and Fridays from Oct 25 to facilitate late-night shoppers;

nThe Black Ash park and ride service, which normally costs €5, will be completely free on Saturdays.

The facility has over 900 parking spaces.

“This is in particular to encourage and attract families to the city at weekends to enjoy the city centre vibrancy, quality of retailing, hospitality and entertainment offering,” said Mr Lucey.

The total value of the council’s free parking initiative is estimated to be in the region of €120,000, through a combination of income foregone and spending.

CBA spokesman Donal Healy said they are delighted with the parking initiatives.

“Last year we had saw a 4% increase in private cars due to the parking incentives and this year we encourage shoppers to enjoy the city centre vibrancy, retail offering, hospitality and entertainment on offer in our compact, pedestrian- friendly city,” he said.

Meanwhile, the city is gearing up for the jazz festival next weekend.

The Corona Film Festival then takes place between Nov 11 and 18, and the annual Christmas in Cork celebration on the Grand Parade and Bishop Lucey Park will run every Friday to Sunday from Nov 23 to Dec 23.