Christmas shoppers to avail of free parking in seven Galway towns this December
Galway County Council have confirmed free parking across several towns this December to boost Christmas footfall, a move described as a “step in the right direction” though more year-round incentives are still needed according to a local representative.
From December 8 through December 31, on-street and off-street parking will be free of charge in Ballinasloe, Loughrea, Tuam, Cleggan, Clifden, Athnery, and Gort.
In a statement on social media, Galway County Council said that the initiative aims to “facilitate and encourage footfall in the regional towns during the Christmas shopping period.”
"Galway County Council wishes a happy, peaceful, and fruitful Christmas to the traders in county Galway.”
“We want to encourage people in our local community to support their local businesses because it’s our local businesses who we rely on for support when our clubs and organisations are looking for sponsorship and support.”
Ballinasloe councillor Alan Harney told the Irish Independent the free parking will begin daily at 11am to discourage daily employees to park long term on the streets as he specified the goal is seeing an increase of visitors.
Cllr Harney added this measure is a hopeful “step in the right direction” in the ongoing parking controversy around the lack of short-term free parking in Galway.
"While December parking is really positive and great for the run up to the Christmas period,” he added, “we would like to see more done by the local authority to incentivize people to come into the centre of our town right throughout the year.”
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