ESSEX FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) has praised moves by Thurrock Council to provide free parking for shoppers as “an excellent way to support local businesses” and is urging other councils across the county to follow their example.
Essex FSB Chairman, Iain Wicks, said: “Thurrock Council already offers free weekend parking in the Grays multi-storey car park which is a welcome boost for local retailers and last month the council decided to allow 15 minutes free stop to shop on street parking in Grays.
“Essex FSB believes these measures are good news and recognise the difficult times facing High Street retailers, particularly the independent stores.
“Now Thurrock Council has taken this initiative a stage further and from Thursday 01 December 2011 until Saturday 31 December 2011 they will:
Be offering two hours free parking on week days in the Grays multi-storey car park as well as the free weekend parking
Make all council owned car parks free to use on Saturdays
“The Christmas period is a crucial one for retailers with some shops taking as much as 40 per cent of their annual turnover during this important shopping period so making it easier for shoppers to support the local High Street rather than major out of town shopping centres is a positive move to back local businesses.
“Essex FSB congratulates Thurrock Council on its decision and urges other councils across Essex to follow this example and help Keep Trade Local.
