As towns and high streets reopen fully from December 2, the Council is working with city, town and parish councils to encourage residents to support local businesses in their local town with free parking on selected days in Cornwall Council operated car parks across the Duchy. 

People will be able to park for free locally on a day selected by their city, town or parish council to support local shops and businesses and enjoy local cafes and restaurants. 

Cornwall Council portfolio holder for transport Geoff Brown said: “This year more than ever it’s important that we all support our local shops and businesses in a safe and considerate manner.  If you take advantage of the free parking offer in a town near you, please make sure you adhere to all the social distancing measures in place.”   

Cornwall Council contacted city, town and parish councils to offer the initiative which will result in over 90 Cornwall Council run car parks, which usually charge for parking, being free for one day. We also gave city, town and parish councils the opportunity to offer additional free parking days in one or more of the Cornwall Council car parks in their area and some local councils are doing so. 

Some towns have chosen Saturday, December 5 as their free parking day to coincide with the annual Small Business Saturday – a national initiative that has been running for the past eight years.  Others have chosen a date just after Christmas to encourage people to visit and take advantage of the sales. 

All Cornwall Council car parks are clearly branded and the Council will be displaying posters about the parking offer at charging points on the day when parking is free. 

If the car park is one of the ‘pay on exit’ car parks, you should take a ticket from the entrance barrier as usual.  On departure if you have only parked on the free parking day, the barrier will open to allow you to exit. If you have stayed for longer than the free parking day, any additional parking fee will need to be paid for at a pay station before you return to your vehicle. 

When and where will free parking days take place?