The Minister said: “This will be a welcome boost to shoppers and traders in the City Centre and I hope it will help to ensure a successful Christmas for the City.
“From tomorrow (26 November) at 4.30pm each day my Department will be suspending its enforcement operations, allowing free parking in the streets at the back of the City Hall, where on-street parking charges currently apply. The streets will include all of those within the area bounded by Donegall Square South, Bedford Street, Ormeau Avenue, Alfred Street , Linenhall Street, Linenhall Street West, Adelaide Street, Franklin Street, and Clarence Street - In effect this means that parking is free on these streets as enforcement of the bays will be suspended after 4.30pm.
Drivers should note that parking is not permitted on yellow line restrictions on these streets.
There are some 330 charged on-street parking spaces in this area.
Welcoming the Minister’s announcement, Andrew Irvine, Belfast City Centre Manager, said: “Providing free parking to city centre shoppers is one of a number of initiatives forming part of Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce’s campaign to attract shoppers and visitors to the City Centre in the run up to Christmas.
“I congratulate the Minister on taking this innovative and timely step which will be a considerable boost to the City Centre. At the moment we are spending £10,000 per week to attract shoppers and this announcement is a considerable boost to our campaign. It is also an excellent example of how to the public and private sectors can work together to drive the economy, both locally and nationally.”
Notes to Editors:
1. Normal enforcement operations will begin from Monday 29 December in the streets at the back of the City Hall, where on-street parking charges currently apply.
2. Media queries to: Press Office, Department for Regional Development, Tel: 028 9054 0372. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
