FREE parking in Bromsgrove town centre has been extended until after Christmas in a bid to boost festive trade in the town.

Bromsgrove District Council has already introduced free parking in its car parks during the second coronavirus lockdown period and this will now be extended until January 4.

The Churchfields multi-storey car park, however, will remain closed.

Council Leader Karen May said: “I know that Christmas is one of Bromsgrove’s busiest times and while we don’t know what the new restrictions will mean for Bromsgrove post December 2 as yet, we want to encourage residents and visitors to come to our town, and centres, as part of their essential shopping trips.

“I know a lot of our businesses have been really creative and adapted to the new rules to enable their customers to buy their goods in a different way – whether this is online, by deliveries, via click and collect or through social distancing.

“Therefore we hope this free parking incentive will entice people to take advantage of these offers and shop local this Christmas.”