Hopes high seasonal parking will provide incentive to shoppers

ENNIS Town Council this week announced details of a parking incentive scheme in a move to promote Christmas and new-year shopping in the county capital.
Free parking will be applicable to the town’s 759 off-street and 783 on-street public car parking spaces up to 12pm daily until January 6, 2013.   Free parking will also be available in Cloughleigh Car Park all day until January 6.
Mayor of Ennis Peter Considine commented, “Ennis boasts a wide ranging and quality shopping experience that will be further enhanced by this free-parking initiative. I call on the people of Ennis and surrounding areas to avail of the free parking scheme and to show their support for local businesses.
“The proposed pedestrianisation of Ennis on December 15, 22, 23 and 24 coupled with other initiatives in the town, supported by Ennis Town Council, should make Ennis a very attractive shopping destination during the festive period,” added Mayor Considine.
Ennis Chamber president, Brian O’Neill, said the free parking initiative represents a proactive coming together of the town council and the local business community, aimed at giving consumers easier access to shopping facilities while also providing a boost to the local Christmas trade. 
“The key focus of the parking scheme is on promoting what the customer wants as opposed to what serves Ennis Town Council and the traders best. Providing a high-quality and value-for-money shopping experience is central to the initiative. It should also be noted that every euro spent locally remains in the community and helps to sustain existing and create new employment within the retail sector and elsewhere,” Mr O’Neill explained.
Ennis Town Clerk Leonard Cleary noted the provision of free parking, in conjunction with the annual street pedestrianisation initiative, is designed to accommodate visitors to Ennis, increase footfall on the streets of the town and boost consumer spending.
“Ennis Town Council is appealing to those working in Ennis to ensure, where possible, that public car parking spaces in the core town centre area are left vacant for shoppers,” stated Mr Cleary.
Free parking up to 12pm daily until January 6 will be available at the following off-street and on-street locations:
Off-street: Abbey St Car Park; Bindon Street Car Park; Cornmarket Car Park; Friars Walk Car Park; Friary Car Park; Lower Market Street Car Park; Market Place Car Park, Parnell St Car Park; Woodquay Car Park (all €1.30/one hour or €2.60 for two hours from 12-5.30pm).
On-Street: Abbey Street, College Road, Drumbiggle Road, Gort Road, Harmony Street, Kilrush Road, Lower Market Street, Market Place, McNamara Park, Mill Road, New Road, New Road Car Park, Newbridge Road, Simms Lane, Station Road, and Turnpike Road (normal parking rates apply after 12pm).
Low-cost parking is also available at the long-stay car park in Glór (one hour free parking or €3.90 for eight hours).