For the first time Ashfield District Council will be providing free car parking, all day, every day in December, at its town centres council-owned car parks.

The move is aimed at encouraging shoppers to support local businesses.

For the past five years the council had provided free weekend parking in town centre car parks during December.

The car parks that will be free in December 2023 are:

Sutton

• Sutton Market

• New Street
• Sherwood Place

Kirkby

• Ellis Street
• Hodgkinson Road

Hucknall

• Piggins Croft
• Market Place
• Yorke Street

Council leader Coun Jason Zadrozny said: “We have listened to residents and business owners who have been asking us to make car parking free in December.

“We are pleased to be in the position to be able to offer this to support our small businesses and town centres. We have fantastic local businesses and our markets in Ashfield, and we want to encourage more people to shop with them this Christmas. If we don’t use them, we will lose them, so please take advantage of this offer in December and shop local.”

The ticket machines will have signage letting residents and visitors know that a ticket won’t be needed throughout December.