SHOPPERS will not have to pay for parking in one Somerset district during Christmas and on New Year's Day.

Free car parking will be available in all Mendip-owned pay and display car parks for one week over Christmas.

This will be from Saturday, December 18, until Friday, December 24.

There will also be free parking on Saturday, January 1.

Mendip District Council (MDC) has chosen New Year's Day as well in order to support drivers who park vehicles in car parks on New Year's Eve. This is so they can use alternative and safe methods of transport to get home.

Cllr Simon Carswell, portfolio holder for economic development, said: "Mendip District Council is delighted to be offering free festive parking to help local businesses, residents and visitors.

"This will be the seventh time your district council has been able to make such an offer.

“After the past 18 months of Covid-19, which is still impacting on our communities, I’m sure everyone will welcome this gesture, take advantage of it, and support our Mendip traders.”

There is also a free parking day on December 4 to support Small Business Saturday.

Anyone visiting Mendip on Small Business Saturday will be able to park for free in the following car parks:

  • Cranhill Road in Street
  • St John's car park in Glastonbury
  • Union Street in Wells
  • Great Ostry in Shepton Mallet
  • The Cattle Market in Frome

However, there might still be certain terms to follow in different car parks during the no-fee days. This is because parking charges can still be issued if you breach conditions.

So MDC is advising visitors to:

  • Check the time limits: ‘Free parking’ may not mean ‘free parking all day’. Maximum time limits still apply in all short stay car parks. Please check, and do not overstay.
  • Don’t park in disabled bays. Disabled parking bays are for blue badge holders only.
  • Park responsibly. Stay within the parking bay markings, and do not park in hatched lined areas, for safety reasons.