The Council is introducing free parking in its main towns as it continues to support local businesses during the Christmas and New Year period.

The second lockdown period has seen shops, businesses and restaurants closed again and the Council is acutely aware of the economic impact this has had on local traders and jobs.

With the reopening of the High Streets and the run up to Christmas, now is an important time for traders, and the Council wants to help encourage shoppers to our towns.

Throughout dates in December and January visitors will be able to park for free in selected car parks in Crediton, Tiverton and Cullompton.

Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Andrew Moore, said: "This second period of national restrictions, while shorter than the first, has still had a detrimental impact on the local economy and the livelihoods of many who live and work in our district. By offering free parking in the run up to Christmas and throughout January we hope people will be encouraged to once again support local businesses. We want to keep everyone as safe as possible and will always strive to make our shopping and business areas as safe as we can, while encouraging people to return to our towns."

As well as free parking the Council has supported businesses through a number of grant schemes that were introduced to support traders and those who are self-employed. In addition the district council has been working in close consultation with the town councils, to provide and monitor safety measures to protect the public and increase visitor confidence.

Deputy Chief Executive, Andrew Jarrett, said: "We appreciate this is a small gesture, when our local businesses have been faced with huge difficulties for much of this year, but we hope this will encourage visitors back to our towns. We must do all we can to stimulate the local economy while being mindful of the continued funding pressure on the Council as we try to ensure we can continue to provide our frontline services."

The following car parks will be free to park in on Saturdays and Sundays throughout December. The same car parks will offer free parking throughout January on Saturdays only.

St Saviours, Crediton

Station Road, Cullompton

Phoenix Lane multi storey, Tiverton

Westexe South, Tiverton