Car Parks Drive Business

Published 4 March 2010

Businesses in the Epping Forest District are being urged to work with their local Town Centre Partnerships to benefit from car parking initiatives agreed this week as part of the council's budget for 2010 to 2011.

Chairman of the South West Essex Branch of the FSB (Federation of Small Businesses), David Miles, said: "Epping Forest District Council is facing a tough financial year from April 2010 as local authorities see tight controls on the grants they receive from central government but the good news is that the council is determined to continue its support for local businesses.

"At a meeting this week Epping Forest Council confirmed that for the second consecutive year car park charges across all car parks run by the council will be frozen and at the same time there will be free parking in all council run long stay car parks every Saturday during the year.

"This is excellent news for town centres such as Buckhurst Hill, Debden, Epping, Loughton, Ongar and Waltham Abbey and gives retailers the opportunity to develop ways of attracting shoppers to use those facilities and bring additional business through their door.

"This is a practical and positive step by Epping Forest District Council and it is important that retailers now work with their local Town Centre Partnerships, Essex FSB and Epping Chamber of Commerce so that together we can get maximum benefit from this council decision to increase the number of shoppers using their local shops."

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