By Julie Waters
A LOCAL business leader has called for a festive parking scheme that gives shoppers an hour’s grace period in Lisburn and Newry to be rolled out in Bangor city.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins recently announced the seasonal change to on street parking in the two cities which will run until January 10 next year.
Drivers who have paid for parking in the on-street parking within the Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ) will be given an extra 60 minutes after their ticket expires without fear of receiving a parking ticket.
The aim of the Department for Infrastructure scheme is to encourage visitors to stay longer in cafes and shops during the Christmas trading period.
The call by Bangor Chamber of Commerce President Frank Shivers to extend the scheme to the seaside city comes after parking was the number issue raised at a meeting between representatives of the borough’s five chambers of commerce and Mayor Gillian McCollum.
The chambers shared with the borough’s first citizen the issues which are causing the greatest challenges facing the local high streets across the borough and ‘parking anxiety’ was top of the list in all the areas.
Mr Shivers welcomed ‘the spirit of flexibility shown in Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins’ recent announcement on festive parking in Lisburn and Newry’ but said ‘Bangor urgently needs similar support’.
He said the parking extension ‘highlights exactly the type of practical, business-focused thinking that Bangor needs at this time of year’. However, Mr Shivers said businesses across Northern Ireland ‘are feeling the pressure’.
“In Bangor, our retailers and hospitality providers are working incredibly hard to offer great value, great experiences and a warm welcome,” he said.
“But parking anxiety remains a real deterrent for shoppers, especially during the Christmas rush. Minister Kimmins’ initiative recognises that reality.”
He said: “The Minister is absolutely right: when people come in to do their shopping, we want them browsing, enjoying a coffee, or staying for lunch, not staring at their watches, worried they’ll be fined. High streets thrive when people feel relaxed, welcomed and valued.
“Our traders depend on footfall. A small measure like a grace period can have a big impact, encouraging families to stay a little longer, supporting local cafés and restaurants, and helping independent retailers who are the backbone of our City centre.”
He emphasised that the Bangor Chamber stands ready to work with the Department for Infrastructure and the council to explore whether similar pilot schemes could benefit Bangor in the future.
“We hope Bangor can be considered for any forthcoming trials. This kind of flexibility doesn’t undermine responsible parking, it enhances the entire town centre experience,” said Mr Shivers. “It supports shops, helps maintain traffic flow, and ultimately contributes to a more vibrant and resilient local economy.”
