Free parking is expected to attract more shoppers into the City of Hamilton in the run-up to Christmas.

A “Three for Free” initiative will allow people to park in the City Hall car park without paying anything for the first three hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

It is hoped the scheme, which starts tomorrow and will run until Christmas, will encourage residents to support retailers and restaurants in Hamilton.

Dwayne Caines, the City’s chief operating officer, said: “We’re thankful to have a way that we can support our business rate-payers in the form of free parking for their customers.

“The holiday shopping season is here. We’re seeing more and more people coming into the City and we hope that this token of free parking will entice even more.

“So many have suffered financially this year due to the pandemic climate but everyone loves something for free so we hope consumers take advantage of the offer.”

Charles Gosling, the Mayor, added: “As a council, we knew a savings on parking would help to drive consumers into the City businesses, especially in the lead-up to the holidays and with the added economic effects that Covid-19 has had.

“I’m pleased that as a voting body we were able to create and implement an initiative that could help everyone from the businesses to the consumers.”

Drivers will still need to take a ticket when they enter the car park and the “grace” period will be increased on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from the usual 15 minutes to three hours.

A spokeswoman explained: “If departing the car park within the three hours, there is no charge and the entry ticket need not be validated at a pay station, merely scanned at the exit to raise the barrier.

“Should a car be parked for more than three hours, the usual premium rate fees will be incurred – $16 between three and four hours and anything over four hours will be $81.

“Lost tickets will incur the usual $75 fee.”

• Monthly and annual parking permits for the Cavendish, Par-la-Ville and King Street car parks have been reduced for 2021.

The spokeswoman said: “The current monthly permit price is $400 which will be reduced to $320.

“The current annual permit price is $4,400 which will be reduced to $3,520.

“Permit access is via a convenient swipe card at the entry and exit.”

Applications for parking permits can be made on the City’s website at www.cityofhamilton.bm.