Article Source: Renfrewshire Council
First Published: 3 November 2020 10:33
Updated: 3 November 2020 10:35
Plans to open up Paisley town centre car parks for free throughout December are set to be considered by councillors next week.
As part of a drive to support local businesses and encourage people to Spend Local during the festive period, all council-owned car parks in the town centre would be free to park in from 1 December to 3 January.
With the current Coronavirus pandemic causing reduced visitor footfall, Renfrewshire Council is proposing the festive initiative to encourage residents to visit their local town centre and support local businesses.
If the plans are approved, parking would be free in all Paisley off-street council car parks although charges would still apply in on-street spaces.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “At this time, we want to do all we can to support local businesses in Renfrewshire as we recognise the impact that the Coronavirus pandemic has had on them.
“We’re working hard to support them to access the funding provided by the Scottish and UK Government, as well as creating the £1.3million Renfrewshire Coronavirus Business Support Fund which was developed following detailed discussion with 500 local businesses and provides a package of interest free loans and grants for businesses affected by the pandemic.
“Therefore, by providing free parking in Paisley town centre as part of our Covid-19 response, we would hope to encourage people to shop in the town centre and recognise the value of local products, people and produce at this most difficult of times.”
The offer of free parking would build on the current parking pilot running in Paisley town centre which sees people given their first three hours of parking free at six of the town centre’s car parks, and this pilot was recently extended for six months at the Leadership Board in September.
Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “Our businesses need all the support possible during these difficult times and this proposal would give people further opportunity to visit Paisley town centre and spend locally during the festive period.
“The pandemic has made it hard for businesses as they’ve had reduced income and footfall for a sustained period of time so this proposal aims to make it as easy as possible for local people to visit the town centre and give those businesses the much needed support they require.
“Please continue to follow the restrictions in place to avoid any further measures required for Renfrewshire and ensure that retail businesses can remain open in advance of and over the festive period.”
The proposal will be considered by the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board on Wednesday 4 November 2020.
A brand-new activity area is set to become one of the most sought-after play parks in Scotland when state-of-the-art equipment is installed for young people.
Viewers from all around the world tuned in to Burns Cottage on Saturday as conservation charity The National Trust for Scotland hosted its first ever virtual Burns night.
Over £1.9 million has been distributed to help support the recovery of Scotland’s historic environment sector from the impacts of COVID-19.
East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire Councils will jointly host this year's Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony virtually on Thursday 28 January.
Scottish Ballet launches an expanded programme of ballet classes, community engagement programmes and health resources to bring the benefits and joy of dance to everyone!
The Burns Caup, presented to the Paisley Burns Club in 1814, is one of several 'relics' to remain in Paisley Museum's store this year as the Club moves its traditional celebrations online.
Friends of Howwood Park are seeking to take over the pavilion on a 10-year lease, with the aim of refurbishing it and bringing it back into community use.
Plans to move Paisley Grammar School to a new-build community campus on the town's Renfrew Road has been approved by councillors.
Runrig's sell-out farewell concerts, filmed live in front of 50,000 fans by BAFTA-winning Glasgow-based digital entertainment company, Blazing Griffin, receives its UK TV premiere on Sky Arts!
With schools closed to most pupils, some of Scotland's most popular visitor attractions are offering homeschooling help to parents across the country!
The Stroke Association in Scotland is encouraging local residents to get involved in its 'Stride for Stroke' challenge, to walk 10,000 steps a day for 120 days.
Bonnie Bairn, Scotland's Premier Pregnancy & Family Fair is set to take place online for the first time ever, encouraging a nation of parents to #ShopLocal from the comfort of their own home.
Glasgow City Council is looking for a team of around 1000 volunteers to support the staging of this globally significant event.
The Data Lab is calling on organisations contributing towards Scotland’s reputation of being at the cutting edge of innovative technology to share their successes to mark Datafest21.
The UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, teamed up with the Stroke Association to mark Stroke Prevention Day.
Still Game star Gavin Mitchell is showing his support for the Beatson Cancer Charity's upcoming Burns event with a fun call to action to find Rabbie Burns lookalikes!
Scotland's biggest staycation event, The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show, is going online for 2021 in a free virtual event!
Staff at Braehead shopping centre will be turning Blue Monday into Brew Monday as a way of keeping in touch with one another during lockdown.
The 2021 Paisley Book Festival programme has something for everyone and it looks forward to welcoming you to its digital stage in February!
With over 10,000 festival passes already sold, 44 countries from around the world will be tuning in to tonight's Celtic Connections Opening Concert!
Edinburgh’s award-winning Wedgwood the Restaurant is the first restaurant in the UK to launch a ‘Burns Box’, available nationwide, to celebrate Burns Night (25th January) in lockdown.
Glasgow Philharmonia are well known for their big performances up and down the country... but for the first time ever, they have released a charity single!
Specialist charity SBH Scotland is joining forces with international superstar Fran Healy, as well as Scottish comedians Janey Godley & Fred MacAulay to host the world's biggest virtual Burns supper!
The Celtic Connections online festival will begin one week today. Across 19 days, the festival will present over 30 online performances between 15th January and 2nd February!
A £4.5m project to restore some of Paisley town centre's historic architecture to its former glory has now completed work at several prominent sites.
Landmark locations at the heart of Renfrew and Johnstone town centres are being lit up – as part of a collection of projects aimed at bringing new life to Renfrewshire's town centres.
Brisbane Observatory, Govanhill Baths and The Ridge Foundations CIC are among the latest round of Historic Environment Support Fund recipients!
Gather the family around the TV this Christmas and join in the usual fun and frolics of a Pavilion Panto!
School pupils have transformed the streets of Gallowhill into a colourful celebration of Christmas!
Renfrewshire's Provost Lorraine Cameron is searching for community heroes across Renfrewshire as nominations for the Provost's Community Awards open for 2021.