FREE PARKING will offered on certain days during the Christmas period in a bid to give retailers a boost.

In Hereford city centre, council car parks, on street pay and display and the Old Market car park will be free for shoppers after 4pm on Wednesday 2, 9, 16 and 23 December.

Meanwhile the market towns will each have a day of free parking.

Ledbury (Friday, December 4)

Kington (Saturday, December 5) 

Leominster (Saturday, December 12)

Ross (Saturday, December 19)

Bromyard- free parking in town council car parks until March 31, 2021.

Free parking concessions do not apply to any private car parks (except the Old Market in Hereford).

Councillor John Harrington, cabinet member infrastructure and transport said: “Like everywhere else in the country, our local retailers have been significantly impacted by the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

"So, as we did when we came out of lockdown in the summer, we are offering free parking to help encourage everybody to shop local and support our local tradespeople.

“When we shop for gifts, food and drink, decorations, or any other festive items in our nearby small and independent retailers, we are investing in our local economy.

"Doing your Christmas shopping locally will help to support retailers and businesses across the county, giving them a helping hand during this difficult time, and strengthening our high streets so that they can thrive into the future.

“We are engaging with stakeholders at this moment to understand what they feel would benefit them most at this time, and whilst this is a changing picture we are keen to support local business further.”

To find out what retailers local to you have to offer, search the ‘Love Local’ map on the Herefordshire Council website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/lovelocal