Council car parks across Perth and Kinross will this week start waiving charges in an effort to lure shoppers in to town centres.
The free-after-2pm car parking scheme has operated over the last two winters and members of the council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee have agreed to adopt an expanded initiative this year, in response to feedback from local businesses.
The scheme is to be widened to all council car parks in Perth, as well as where charges are in place in Blairgowrie, Crieff, Dunkeld and Pitlochry.
Shoppers can now park in selected car parks free of charge from 2pm onwards on Thursdays and Fridays from this week until January 30.
Councillors were also updated on the approved change in the management and payment regime of Perth’s South Inch car park from pay and display to pay on foot and considered how the wider adoption of pay on foot in other council-operated car parks can be implemented.
The pay on foot option provides a greater degree of flexibility in terms of parking charges to motorists, as it does not require the driver to pay in advance and pre-determine their length of stay.
This, effectively, means those who have come by car can enjoy shopping and boost spending in local businesses without the need to rush back to their vehicle to top up the meter.
Councillor John Kellas, enterprise and infrastructure convener, said: “After careful consideration of the views of local businesses, the committee decided to extend the free from two initiative and wishes to see the development of pay on foot proposals for the council’s other car parks.
“The opportunity to park in this fashion at South Inch car park will be used to pilot the scheme, before consideration is given to rolling it out elsewhere.”