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Newry City Councillor Geraldine Kearns has welcomed the passing of her motion at the December Council meeting on 1 December, securing free off-street parking in all Council car parks in Newry for the next three Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas.
It is understood the Car Park machines and online apps will still take payment for these periods and as of today 4 December 15.30 there are no notices on machines or boards in the Newry car parks. To add to any potential confusion the motion that was agreed is not yet public! Currently it's not known if this initiative applies to just Newry, Newry and Downpatrick or all council run car parks. Newry.ie asked council for a copy of the motion but in reply a spokesperson said "the minutes are yet to be approved".
The 6 Council Run Car Parks in Newry are: Basin Walk, Canal Bank One, Canal Bank Two, Abbey Way/ Mill Street, Monaghan Street and New Street.
Saturday's up to Christmas.
Councillor Kearns said: “I am delighted that my motion has passed this evening. Free off-street Council parking for the next three Saturdays will make a real and immediate difference for shoppers, workers and local businesses during the busiest retail period of the year.
“This initiative will support families at a time when costs are already high, while also boosting footfall and encouraging people to shop local here in Newry. Our town centre traders and hospitality sector have been clear about the pressures they face, and this is a practical, positive measure to ease the burden.”
The Newry Councillor also commended the actions of the Sinn Féin Infrastructure Minister: “This move complements the positive steps taken by Sinn Féin Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins, who has introduced a one-hour grace period after their paid parking expires for on-street parking in Newry giving drivers extra time and supporting local businesses during the busy Christmas period.
Also commenting was Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson Cllr Phillip Campbell who said the availability of free parking on the traditionally busiest shopping day of the week will be welcomed by shoppers and the business community alike.
The Council chairperson said, “Free parking for shoppers is a timely boost at a very busy time of the year for retailers and other businesses across the district.”
Cllr Campbell said the suspension of parking charges for three Saturdays in a row is a good news story at this time of year and will encourage people to shop locally.
“It is important we support our local traders at all times of the year, but especially so in the run-up to Christmas,” he said.
He added “I hope the free parking initiative will bring a little Christmas cheer to shoppers, families and the district’s hardworking business community. Shopping local helps build community spirit, especially at this time of year,”
Rowallane Councillor David Lee-Surginor asked for an amendment to the motion adding "automatically every year at the start of the Christmas period across all Council operated car parks" Cllr Lee-Surginor said "This addition will ensure the action is consistent with the annual commitment clearly defined by the period and scope, thereby providing certainty to both our residents and fantastic local businesses."
Slieve Gullion Councillor Pete Byrne expressed his concerns that the matter was "sitting on the council agenda for well over a year" and that at this late stage to get this communicated to the public is a "huge huge task". He also proposed an amendment.
Cllr Glyn Hanna added "We in the DUP are happy not to see any support to retail whatsoever in the three Saturday's coming up to Christmas".
Slieve Gullion Councillor David Taylor said "I am concerned about Newry at the moment particularly. I'm using Newry as an example, because that's my local shopping town." Cllr Taylor said he has spoken to retailers and "there are concerns about where things are at the moment. You see many people passing through Newry to go to Banbridge to shop there and there's reasons for that, and we as a council need to look seriously as to why that's happening, or why we have so many retail spaces empty."
The Motion put forward by Cllr Kearns
(Amendments were made to the motion but currently these aren't known)
This council recognises the importance of revitalising our town centres and the challenges of parking in Newry city and Downpatrick. Acknowledges the need to encourage people to shop locally. Further recognise that workers, business and shoppers need access to parking, that availability of parking is an asset to the economic development of the area. Also acknowledges the commitment of the Minister for infrastructure to assess all options to ease pressure in relation to on street parking, which make on street parking free on public holidays, Calls on Council officials to introduce appropriate Parking incentives for off street car parks in time for the retail rush ahead of Christmas and this can take the form of free parking for the next three Saturdays.
