Free parking is 'boosting trade'

Alexandra Gregg • Published 9 Jan 2013 16:30 1 Comment

A TEMPORARY free parking incentive has boosted the number of people hitting the shops in Bracknell town centre.

The 'Free from 3pm' weekday promotion at Princess Square car park, off The Ring, first launched on Monday, June 4, and was originally designed to finish at the end of the summer holidays - however it has since been extended twice due to an going surge in the shopping centre's popularity.

Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (BRP) declined to reveal the footfall figures but said the number of motorists using car park has been rising dramatically.

Rob Morris, general manager of BRP, said: "The promotion has seen a discernible uplift in parking during weekday afternoons in the car park.

"We are pleased with the feedback we have received from retailers about the numbers of people they have seen in their stores and cafés on weekday afternoons since the promotion began, and this is attributed in part to the incentive encouraging people to come to town at these times."

Mr Morris added January is notoriously a tough month for retailers and as such, BRP has decided to extend the scheme until the end of this month - despite initial plans for it to finish in December 2012.

He said: "The increase in numbers has shown that this is something that local shoppers want.

"Extending the promotion for an extra month was seen as an excellent way of providing both retailers and shoppers with some additional New Year cheer."

The promotion operates in Princess Square shopping centre car park from Monday to Friday for shoppers arriving after 3pm. This incentive is funded by BRP.

See www.bracknell.com for more information.

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This article appeared in Bracknell News 09 Jan 13

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• 

  catchmentsilk
  15 posts
  Jan 14, 15:07
  Report comment

  Free parking encourages trade? Wow thats hardly rocket science. How about linking car parking tickets to a discount off a shopping transaction - you shop and your parking is free.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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