RESIDENTS and visitors are being encouraged to shop locally this festive season as Cornwall Council offers one day’s free parking in paid-for car parks across Cornwall during the festive season.

Residents will be able to park for free locally on one day selected by their city, town or parish council to support trading in town centres. Shoppers in Callington will be about to part in the two car parks on New Road for free on Saturday, December 2.

Council leader Adam Paynter said: ’Cornwall’s towns are great places to visit during the festive season and we’re proud to support our local economies by offering free parking in the busy build-up to Christmas.

’Not only does this mean people can take their time shopping, it also means people can spend more time in cafes and restaurants. You don’t get that experience shopping online.’

The council’s cabinet member for transport Geoff Brown said: ’We’ve offered a day’s free parking before – which is all about getting people to shop locally and support local businesses during the festive period.

’We have some fantastic shops across Cornwall and we want to make sure that people have plenty of time to browse and enjoy them.’

Cornwall Council wrote to the city, town and parish councils to offer the initiative. Following requests from the councils, 88 Cornwall Council run car parks which usually charge for parking will be free for one day.

Many town and parish councils have selected Saturday, December 2 as their free parking day to coincide with the annual Small Business Saturday – a national initiative encouraging shopping at small local businesses. Other towns have chosen their date to encourage people to come along to festive events they already had planned.

All Cornwall Council car parks are clearly branded and the council will be displaying posters about the parking offer at the charging points on the day when parking is free.