Extra bays are Christmas gift

Published on Saturday 29 November 2008 10:01

SHOPPERS in the city centre have been given some welcome Christmas cheer on parking.

Around 30 parking bays around the east side of St Andrew Square have been temporarily reopened for the Christmas period.

A further 50 parking bays in North St Andrew Street and South St Andrew Street are offering stays for shoppers of up to two hours without charge.

The move is part of the suspension of the tram work for Christmas, which is designed to support traders over the vital Christmas period, and runs until January 4.

Jane Wood, chair of Essential Edinburgh, the city-centre Business Improvement District company, said: "The Christmas period is key for many retailers, and reasonable additional access to parking can only help."

The council has already announced the easing of restrictions for the festive period, with free parking after 5.30pm Mondays to Fridays and after 1pm on Saturdays on a number of city centre streets.