Christmas is set to shine even brighter across the borough this year as Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council unwraps an early gift for residents and visitors of free parking in all Council-owned off-street car parks in the run-up to Christmas!
In a move designed to encourage everyone to shop local, dine local and enjoy local, free parking will be available once again on key Christmas shopping dates this year – Saturday 6, Saturday 13 and Saturday 20 December.
In addition, free parking will be further extended to include Georgian Day in Armagh City (Saturday 29 November) and the Christmas lights switch on events in each of these town centres: Portadown (Friday 14 November), Lurgan (Friday 21 November), and Banbridge (Friday 28 November).
The initiative comes as part of the Council’s wider ‘Santa on Tour’ Christmas campaign, which will see Santa, Mrs Claus and their merry entourage spread festive cheer throughout towns and villages across the borough, switching on Christmas lights, hosting family-friendly entertainment, and creating magical memories for all ages.
Alongside the festive roadshow dates, visitors can look forward to Artisan Food & Craft Markets at selected light switch-on events, offering a winter wonderland of local produce, handmade gifts and delicious treats. Perfect for ticking off that Christmas list while backing local makers and businesses.
And if you’re looking for the perfect present that keeps on giving, why not choose a Shop ABC Gift Card? Accepted by a wide range of local retailers, cafés, restaurants and service providers across the borough, it’s a simple and thoughtful way to share the Christmas spirit while directly supporting our local economy.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Alderman Stephen Moutray, said: “Christmas is a time for community and connection. By offering free parking on the Saturdays in the run up to Christmas, we’re helping residents make the most of the festive season close to home while backing the fantastic businesses that keep our borough’s high streets thriving.”
Some 1,569 parking spaces will be free to use in 15 council-owned off-street pay-and-display car parks in the borough’s main urban centres. These include Dobbin Street Lane, Friary Road East, Linenhall Street and Lonsdale Road in Armagh City; Bridge Street East, Commercial Road, Downshire Place and Townsend Street in Banbridge; Castle Lane and Millennium Way in Lurgan; and Magowan Buildings, Marley Street, Meadow Lane West, West Street and William Street in Portadown.
In addition to placing covers on parking meters in all relevant car parks, signage will be placed at the entrance of car parks to remind shoppers that they can avail of free parking on the specified dates.
Motorists are reminded that traffic attendants will still be operating in car parks on the free parking days and will enforce all other aspects of car parking, for example not parking wholly within a parking bay, to ensure that car parks will still operate in a safe manner for all users.
With Santa on Tour bringing the sparkle, and free parking helping take the stress out of festive shopping, there’s every reason to stay local this Christmas season.
For full event details, free parking information and to plan your visit, go to santaontourabc.com and follow the Council’s social media pages.
