Free parking scheme to return to Southwick ahead of Christmas

Adur District Council has announced it will waive the parking fees from the start of half term on Saturday, October 20, to the end of the year.

Nikki Lilley, manager of Peter Marson Optometrist and secretary of the Southwick Traders’ Association, said: “It’s brilliant, all the traders are very happy about it.

“It will hopefully bring a bit more trade into the square.”

The council first rolled out scheme in Southwick last year during the lead up to Christmas with funding from a one-off pot of Government cash to support businesses.

Ms Lilley said: “It had a massively positive effect.

“A lot more trade came through the square in the whole period.

“The square was much busier on Saturdays.”

Mike Forrest, from Southwick Square Meats, said in January that the scheme had helped bring in an extra 30 or 40 customers to the store every weekend.

“If people can’t park, they won’t stay. They are so used to going to supermarkets,” he said.

Lindsay Skene, owner of Linden Tree Flowers, said even local shoppers tended to drive and free parking attracted them to the square rather than the Holmbush Centre.

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