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Christmas car parking - 'the facts' acording to the town council
(December 10, 2010)A town council in control of a cash-guzzling Assembly Hall 'white
elephant' must be more vigilant in protecting its local shopkeepers says the co-author of a website that in 2008 drew up a positive
way forward for Warminster.
"Just a few days after their positive contribution to the festive
shopping on offer in our town with the very good Christmas Lights
switch on I ended up boycotting one of their meetings," explains former
councillor Paul Macdonald.
"I was delighted when they responded to my request to look into the free car parking offers to Christmas shoppers elsewhere."
The chairman of the Town Development Committee Cllr. Tony Nicklin added it as an urgent item to their Monday meeting.
"I then read that they considered that... 'the facts, after
investigation, are The Shires in Trowbridge are offering parking
between 6-8pm on Thursday and Friday evenings.
"They added that... 'Wiltshire Council have advised there is no
change to the costs of the park and ride schemes and not other market
towns have any further concession in place'."
Wiltshire Council issued a press release declaring 'Visitors to
Salisbury can enjoy free use of the park and ride service over the
festive season, and the sites will also open late when the Christmas
lights are switched on.' on the 12th November.
Frome is offering mid afternoon choice widely reported through the
news media. All over the country shoppers are being attracted by
similar offers.
"Once I read 'the facts' in the report accompanying the agenda
paper I threw up my hands in surrender," said Paul of the
visionforwarminster.co.uk website.
"I was going to propose an offer of a few hours free parking after
9am to encourage locals to check us out first before being enticed by
the huge attraction of Trowbridge, Salisbury and others.
"I also hoped that it may encourage others to check out our town
on the way to those others. We have so much to offer and such a
friendly set of shops!"
*Warminster Journal took an interest in this after attending the meeting and asked Paul for his comments.