A free parking scheme aimed at boosting festive trade in communities across Perth and Kinross has been launched.
Perth city centre businesses were among the first to give their backing to “free after two” car parking, which starts this week in car parks across the district.
There will be free parking after 2pm on each Thursday and Friday until January 31 next year.
The aim of the scheme, which was piloted last year, is to boost festive footfall in town centres across the area.
The council’s enterprise and infrastructure convener John Kellas was joined by local retailers and city centre manager Leigh Brown in Perth on Monday to launch the scheme.
“This is a demonstration that the council is committed to supporting local businesses and the local economy in general,” said Councillor Kellas.
“A similar free after two initiative was generally welcomed by local retailers last year and that’s why we’ve decided to repeat it.
“Free after two parking also supports the packed programme of Winter Festival events that are being held in Perth over the coming months.
“For all these reasons I am very happy that the scheme is running again this year. I hope Christmas shoppers and festive visitors to Perth and Kinross will take full advantage of the offer and enjoy everything that Perth and Kinross has to offer this Christmas.”
The promotion will run in car parks operated by the council in Perth at East and West Mill Street, Speygate, Scott Street and the Canal Street multi-storey.
Free after two will also be available in town centre car parks in Blairgowrie, Crieff, Dunkeld and Pitlochry.
The free parking runs alongside Perth Winter Festival 2013, which includes Scotland’s first outdoor chocolate festival, history and horror tours, and various markets being held over the coming weeks.
A Perth Winter Festival guide is available at www.pkc.gov.uk/article/7553/Winter-Guide-201314.