Parking gift for Christmas shoppers

Thousands of car parking spaces in Bolton town centre will be free after 3pm each weekday from next Thursday (16 November).

Council chiefs have announced the festive treat for shoppers using the multi-storey car parks at the Octagon, Deane Road and Topp Way.

The free after 3pm offer coincides with the start of Bolton’s Christmas Lights switch-on and late-night shopping.

This year, Bolton TV star Paddy McGuinness will be lighting up the town centre at the switch on show, which is sponsored by Market Place Shopping Centre.

The weekday parking initiative, which is in addition to the free weekend and Bank Holiday parking on offer already at these sites, will run until Friday, January 5.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Cliff Morris, said: “Our free weekday parking after 3pm offer has always proved really popular with shoppers and town centre businesses.

“We are committed to making it as easy and affordable as possible for shoppers to visit and to boost town centre trade, particularly in the run-up to Christmas and the New Year.”

The council’s partners NCP, which operates the Octagon, Deane Road and Topp Way, is implementing the scheme.

This year’s Winter Festival, organised by Bolton Council in association with the University of Bolton, starts on December 2 with a giant snow slide and covered ice skating rink on Victoria Square.

In addition, from December 9 to 20, there will be a festive Christmas Market in and around Victoria Square and an Alpine Ski Lodge bar.