Athlone Moate Municipal District elected representatives have unanimously approved a proposal to provide free parking in council car parks during the week prior to Christmas in a bid to encourage retail spend in the town.
The proposal was approved at the Monday afternoon sitting of the Municipal District, the free parking initiative to take place from Saturday, December 16 until Saturday, December 23 inclusive.
Independent councillor, Paul Hogan, proposed that the free council car parking initiative replicated that of last year, being operational from December 17 to 24, but Cllr Aengus O’Rourke did not agree noting that the initiative be in place for a maximum seven day period prior to Christmas so as to encourage retailers into the heart of Athlone.
The free parking initiative will operate in six town centre car parks currently operated by Westmeath County Council, motorists being advised that they will still have to pay for parking in car parks not operated by the local authority.
Free parking was provided in all six town centre car parks in Athlone from December 17 to 24 inclusive in 2022, the Christmas council car parking initiative in operation in Athlone since 2009.
