A request had been received from Battle Chamber of Commerce for the Council to provide free parking on every Thursday and Saturday during December 2020, to incentivise customers to return to the High Street after the national lockdown period.

It was noted that authorising nine free parking days in Battle, Bexhill and Rye would amount to approximately £20,000 loss of income.  Currently officers had delegated authority to grant up to a maximum of seven days.

In order to support the local economy and encourage visitors to the town centres, Cabinet agreed that nine free parking days (including Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve) be authorised during December 2020.  It was suggested that an evaluation exercise be completed to ascertain whether the free parking period had encouraged more visitors to the town centres.  The Communications Team were asked to promote the free parking period on ‘My-Alerts’ and all social media platforms.

RESOLVED: That nine free parking days (including Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve) in Battle, Bexhill and Rye town centre car parks be authorised during December 2020.

(The Leader had accepted this item onto the Agenda as an Additional Agenda Item in order for Cabinet to consider this matter due to the impending Christmas period).