3 March 2009

Residents and businesses have given the thumbs up to Guildford Borough Council’s innovative way of passing back the VAT from its metered car parking charges. Last Saturday (28 February) thousands of shoppers and visitors took advantage of the Council’s free parking offers and came to Guildford town centre.

Lead Councillor for Environment Cllr Jenny Wicks explains: “We had two aims in mind with this special parking promotion. We wanted to help pass back to the public the Government’s reduction in VAT from our metered car parking charges, and at the same time encourage people to visit Guildford to enjoy all it has to offer. The promotion was a success - according to the retailers it was the busiest Saturday of the year so far - and has given a much-needed boost to our shops and cafes in the town centre during these difficult economic times”.

“Initial feedback from the public and retailers has been very positive. We will now look at what went well with the promotion and if there was anything we could have done better, and we may run similar offers again in the future. Watch this space!” adds Cllr Wicks.

Representing Guildford’s retailers, Kevin Lorimer, Chair of the Town Centre Management Group, comments: “This is a prime example of Guildford Borough Council working together with the Town Centre Management Group to support local retailers and other businesses in the town.  We should be doing all we can to support Guildford’s economy and more marketing initiatives are being planned”.

The promotion included a free, three-hour parking voucher for Guildford Borough Council pay-and-display car parks in the town centre, free parking all day at York Road, Farnham Road and Guildford Park car parks, and free park and ride all day from Ladymead, Artington and Merrow.