In an effort to generate more activity for Athlone’s retailers, restaurants, hotels and pubs, Westmeath County Council, supported by Athlone Chamber of Commerce are providing all-day, free parking in six town centre car parks for a full week from Friday, December 17 until Friday, December 24.
Free parking will be available at the following car-parks - Fair Green, St Marys, the Strand, Connaught Street, Athlone Castle and O’Connell Street.
Members of the public will still be required to pay for parking at privately owned facilities and along ‘on-street’ pay zones.
The week-long initiative was proposed by the town’s Deputy Mayor, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke.
“This is a positive initiative, and it is a considerable investment by the council. The local authority will forego significant car-parking revenue in the run-up to Christmas.
“However, it demonstrates that the council is entirely supportive of Athlone’s businesses and I hope that the waiving of car parking fees and increased traffic management in the town, will make shopping locally considerably more attractive to the people in the Athlone region and those visiting our town.
“I would also urge local businesses to offer further incentives to shoppers such as discounts or savings to match the council’s offer and ensure Christmas shoppers get excellent value in Athlone this festive season,” Cllr O’Rourke asserted.
Concurring, Athlone Chamber of Commerce president, Alan Shaw, noted that the initiative will afford a boost to all local business members.
“Athlone Chamber of Commerce is delighted to be associated with the free car parking initiative once again. This will give a boost to our members in retail who will benefit from increased shoppers to the town from December 17-24.
“We wish to thank Westmeath County Council for providing the necessary funding to enable this initiative. We also use this opportunity to wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and a happy new year,” Mr Shaw remarked.
