THE council is introducing free Saturday car parking over the Christmas period to encourage residents to support the local economy.

Starting from Saturday, November 26, the same day as the Christmas lights switch on - free car parking will be available all-day Saturday in council run car parks over a five-week period up to and including December 24, Christmas Eve.

Free Saturday parking is already available in Earlestown.

What the council has said

Councillor Andy Bowden, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We know many residents and businesses want to see free parking introduced in St Helens town centre more often, but doing so comes at a cost to the Council at a time when we need to manage a balanced budget and protect essential services which so many in our Borough depend on.

“However, we recognise the importance of supporting local retailers too during the busiest time of year so we’re happy to offer free Saturday parking as a means of encouraging people into St Helens Town Centre."

Car parks free on a Saturday include:

  • Birchley Street – Surface Car Park
  • Central Street – Surface Car Park
  • Cotham Street – Surface Car Park
  • Hardshaw Centre – Roof Top Car Park
  • Mill Street – Surface Car Park
  • Millennium Centre – Surface Car Park
  • North John Street – Surface Car Park
  • Parr Street – Surface Car Park
  • Tolver Street – Surface Car Park
  • Tontine – Multi Storey Car Park
  • Ward Street – Surface Car Park
  • Waterloo Street – Surface Car Park

This offer does not apply to on street pay and display parking spaces.

For more information on town centre parking, visit sthelens.gov.uk/carparks