It will be free to park in Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Cheddar and Highbridge at the weekends in the run-up to Christmas.

Sedgemoor District Council has confirmed that it will be free to park in all 18 of its car parks across the district on the three weekends before Christmas Day.

It will also offer free parking after 4pm on the days when local Christmas lights displays are switched on.

The policy will cost the council nearly £14,000 in lost revenue, but is expected to boost footfall and support town centre businesses.

Councillor Mark Healey, portfolio holder for commercial and asset management, confirmed the details in a report which came before the full council in Bridgwater on Wednesday afternoon (October 9).

He said: “It is estimated that the cost of offering this concession for one weekend would be around £4,600 in lost revenue, increasing to £13,800 for the three pre-Christmas December weekends.”

The council held two free ‘Enjoy Shopping in Sedgemoor’ events in Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas in 2018.

Mr Healey said he had seen “no evidence of increased footfall” from this policy, but was happy to implement further free parking days following discussions with council leader Duncan McGinty.

He said: “I am pleased to be able to announce that we will be offering free Christmas parking in all of our 18 car parks for the three weekends prior to Christmas on a permanent basis, as well as free parking after 4pm on the days of Christmas lights ‘switch ons’ in late-November.

“We hope that this support for our local economy will help our retailers.”

The following car parks will be free on December 7, 14 and 21:

Bridgwater

Eastover & St. John St. Shoppers

Mount Street (East)

Mount Street (West)

Northgate

Eastover Short Stay

Market Street

Dampiet Street

Blake

Eastover Park

Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge

High Street

Oxford Street

Pier Street East

Pier Street South

Pier Street West

Discount car park

Bank Street

Cheddar

Church Street

Cliff Street