A WELLINGTON businessman has taken it upon himself to organise free parking as a Christmas present to shoppers.

Joseph Welch, 33, is the owner of Welch Jewellers in South Street, Wellington, which celebrated its fifth birthday on November 25.

He said he has wanted to organise free parking for the town for a number of years, but has been too busy in the past.

Speaking to the Star this week, Mr Welch said: “The council pay for everyone that parks in Wellington on a Saturday.

“Christmas shoppers want to come out to the town on not just a Saturday.

“We need them to come out every day to boost the economy.

“Why aren’t shops coming together to offer this for parking?”

The free parking scheme is being run through the whole of December.

Mr Welch also said that if people choose to park in the town then all they have to do is spend £2.50 in his shop and show him a proof of parking then he is happy to refund you.

The store is open from 9am until 5.15pm from Monday to Saturday.

The price of all-day parking in Wellington is around £2.30.

The town recently celebrated the start of the Christmas period with their lights switch on at the weekend, which was held in spite of the strong winds and extreme weather that was forecast.

Mr Welch, lives in Bishopswood and grew up in Taunton.

He is hoping to do the same thing next year and get more shops on board if possible.

He said it was up to local businesses to take initiatives in what he said was a tough market competing with the internet.

He added: “Maybe next year I will get a few more shops to take part.

“If I get a good response then I will try and get other people involved.

“Local business owners like myself really need to take the initiative these days.

“It is such a tough market competing with the internet.

“We need to make it as easy as possible to come to Wellington.

“Charging for parking is not customer friendly.”

Christmas shoppers in Wellington can also park for free in the town on Saturdays throughout December.

For more information visit the council’s website.