Last week, lockdown restrictions were eased, and we were finally allowed to visit beer gardens and friends back gardens in line with government restrictions once again. Leeds City Council car parks and street spaces will be free to use for the next two weekend – including May Bank Holiday.
The decision is a bid to help boost footfall in the city centre to help businesses after lockdown restrictions have left stores and bars closed for so long. So on the weekends 24th-25 April and May Bank Holiday weekend, May 1st-3rd with maximum stay times still applying.
Non-essential shops, pubs and restaurants and others in the hospitality sector welcomed back customers in Leeds. The free began last weekend and will in a bid to help traders in Leeds and Otley.
Speaking about the free parking, Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “We know how hard the last 12 months have been for our traders and we’re determined to do everything we can to help them through the COVID-19 crisis.
“There may now be some light at the end of the tunnel thanks to the success of the vaccine rollout programme, but the economic recovery will not happen overnight.
“Lifting these car parking charges on these dates will hopefully help encourage more people to return to the high street and support local businesses after they reopen.”
