Free parking proposed for Black Friday and December weekends

Shoppers coming into Mullingar before Christmas will be able to avail of free car parking on several dates in December, and one in November.

The debate on what dates exactly they should be got quite intense at last week’s meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, as councillors looked at what November date would best suit both shoppers and traders – November 20, when the Christmas lights are being switched on, or November 27, Black Friday.

In the end, the date chosen was Friday November 27, and the other dates are to be Friday December 4; Saturday December 5; Friday December 11; Saturday December 12; Friday December 18; Saturday December 19; Wednesday December 23; and Christmas Eve.

In a presentation to councillors on the subject, council official Catherine Darby said that the free parking would apply in council-controlled car parks in Mullingar.

Originally, the executive’s suggestion was for six dates, and two further dates – one being Christmas Eve – were suggested by Mullingar Chamber of Commerce.

Cllr Ken Glynn questioned the inclusion of Christmas Eve, saying parking was traditionally free on that day anyway, and proposed using the date for Black Friday instead.

Cllr Emily Wallace supported the change, arguing that free parking should be used to encourage people into town when they were doing their Christmas shopping.

“Black Friday, we are up against your big cities and your online shopping, so it’s so important we have the message Mullingar and our local towns and villages are open for business,” she said.

Cllr Wallace said much of the major Christmas shopping was now done in October and November, and December was increasingly focused on restaurants, outings and other seasonal activities.

Cllr Denis Leonard also backed free parking on November 27, suggesting it could be promoted as a Black Friday special. He said the message should be advertised early, with clear signage so that shoppers knew when free parking was available.

Cllr Leonard said the offer could help attract people from surrounding areas, including Kinnegad and Killucan, who might otherwise travel to Liffey Valley.

He also called for the Shop Westmeath campaign to be promoted again this year, noting that free parking was available every day in the county’s rural towns in the run-up to Christmas.

Cllr Glynn suggested that free parking should form part of a wider Christmas promotion incorporating the Mullingar Chamber gift card, local shopping and the town’s seasonal attractions.

He said the various initiatives should be brought together under a coordinated campaign to encourage people to spend their money locally.

Cllr Bill Collentine also called for free parking to be considered on the day the Christmas lights are switched on, saying the event attracted families into town and could provide an opportunity to bring more customers into local shops. He noted that the lights switch-on is scheduled for Friday November 20.

Cllr Aoife Davitt said the Mullingar Christmas offering should also make greater use of evening activities, pointing to the ice-skating attraction due to open on November 14.

She suggested that local businesses could be encouraged to stay open later, allowing visitors to combine shopping with food, ice-skating and other activities.

Cllr Glynn agreed that late opening could be expanded during the Christmas period.

Cllr Wallace called for a more coordinated approach to Christmas events across the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, suggesting that Mullingar Chamber and local town teams should be invited to present their plans for the festive season at a future meeting.

She said towns and villages should work together rather than compete for the same customers, and proposed developing a wider winter strategy encompassing parking, markets, festivals and other events.

Supported by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme