On the build-up to the festive season, Cumberland Council is encouraging residents to shop local and support local businesses.
Cumberland Council and town councils are lining up events to attract visitors and showcase the shops and traders within the area.
In support of some events, Cumberland Council is providing free parking in the following car parks on these dates:
Keswick
Friday 15 November free parking in Central car park from 3pm - 7pm to support the Christmas lights switch on.
Sunday 1 December free parking in Central car park from 7am - 7pm to help promote the Victorian Fayre.
Whitehaven
All council-owned car parks will provide free parking on Saturday 16 November to coincide with the town’s Christmas Lights Switch-On and festivities activities.
Cockermouth
Sunday 17 November - free parking from 1pm - 7pm to support the Christmas lights switch on. The free parking will be available in long stay car parks: Bitterbeck, Riverside, All Saints, Memorial Gardens and Sullart Street.
Thursday 21 and Thursday 28 November - free parking from 4pm to 7pm to help promote late night shopping. The free parking will be available in long stay car parks: Bitterbeck, Riverside, All Saints, Memorial Gardens and Sullart Street.
Egremont
Sunday 24 November - free parking is available all day in Chapel Street car park to support the Christmas Winter Wonderland event.
Carlisle
To coincide with late night shopping, free parking after 3pm in some car parks on Late Night Thursdays:
Bitts Park; Lowther Street; Castle; Caldew Riverside; The Sands; Swifts Bank; Viaduct; Civic Centre and West Walls car parks free parking after 3pm on the following dates: Thursday 28 November, Thursday 5 December, Thursday 12 December and Thursday 19 December.
Please note: The barriers in West Walls, Castle, and Caldew Riverside Car Parks will remain open until 11.30pm.
Workington
The local town council will be taking over Udale Street car park on Friday 29 November at 12pm to allow set up of their Christmas festival stage etc, the car park will therefore be closed from 12pm on Friday 29 November until 7pm on Saturday 30 November.
Free parking will be available from 11am - 7pm on Saturday 30 November in the following car parks: Allerdale House, Brow Top Annex, Brow Top, Elizabeth Street and Horse Close.
Wigton
From 12pm on Friday 29 November until the evening at 7pm on Saturday 30 November, Cumberland Council is supporting the local town council by making half of Water Street car park available to be used for fairground rides and various stallholders linked to their Christmas fayre. Free parking will also be available in all council-owned car parks on Saturday 30 November from 7am to 7pm.
Councillor Barbara Cannon, Executive Member for Financial Planning and Assets, added:
“The Cumberland area has lots planned on the build-up to Christmas and we encourage local residents and visitors to support the many events planned over the weeks running up to the festivities.
“We also encourage people to shop local and support local businesses.
“We are offering free parking on some key dates, and we hope this serves as an incentive to make a visit to local towns and our city.”
For a full list of events planned for the Cumberland area, visit www.discovercarlisle.co.uk