Eden Street Car Park is just one of the area to benefit from reduced tariffs over the Christmas period
FROM Monday Enniskillen traders will receive a massive boost over the Christmas period through reduced parking rates in 404 spaces in the county town.
The announcement made by Department for Regional Development (DRD) Minister Danny Kennedy is a real fillip for the High Street and will see the introduction of a new reduced tariff of five hours parking for just £1 in 95 Road Service car parks across the North in 25 towns.
The beneficiaries of the scheme in Enniskillen are: Down/Market/ Cross Street (104 spaces), Eden Street (148), Head Street (59), Quay Lane North (93), Quay Lane South (78) and Shore Road East Car Park (70).
The announcement made on Monday comes less than two weeks after Enniskillen was excluded from a festive package of public transport measures to help shoppers and traders in areas of Belfast, Lisburn, Newry and Derry.
In a Stormont debate on November 18 local MLA Phil Flanagan asked that the Minister give consideration to extending free car parking charges to car parks in places like Enniskillen for the festive period and the comments appear to have hit home with the Minister.
“This is a victory for the people of Fermanagh,” explained Mr Flanagan.
“The traders of Enniskillen are facing very stiff competition from other shopping areas and in particular the growth of online shopping so hopefully this will provide a boost to them.”
The new tariff will be introduced from December 2 ,will continue until 11 January and will apply to car parks that have a tariff of 30p or more per hour.
Drivers will still be able pay the minimum tariff in each car park, for example most car parks have a tariff of 40p per hour so if someone wants to stay for less than an hour they can simply pay 40p.
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) has described the reduced car parking tariff of £1 for five hours as an ‘early Christmas present for local traders’.
NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “Local town centre traders throughout Northern Ireland have been working harder than ever this Christmas to put in place an attractive retail and hospitality offer for consumers.
“The five hours for a £1 scheme will be a big boost in supporting their efforts”
Local SDLP councillor Brendan Gallagher said anything that encouraged shoppers to spend longer in Enniskillen town centre could only be a good thing.
“This is welcome news for traders, who have had a hard time during the recession.
“Any measure to entice shoppers into the town centre, and to encourage them to stay longer than the normal restricted time frame can only be a good thing.
“It will allow shoppers to take their time on the high street and spend longer, perhaps, than they normally would.
“Enniskillen, like every town, needs every bit of help it can to bring shoppers here instead of driving them away.”
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