Ashfield District Council issues more than 81,000 free parking tickets in three months

More than 25,000 tickets were issued each month in October, November and December.

Coun Samantha Deakin, a independent, represents Sutton Town Centre on the council.

She said, “The Ashfield Independents promised we would do everything to support retailers during the pandemic.

"These figures prove that we are doing exactly that. More and more people are taking advantage and footfall has increased in all our town centres.

"The amount of car parking tickets issued in all council-run car parks this year is significantly higher than this time last year.

"This is just one way we are supporting retailers and is part of a package to ensure they survive as we recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

"We have exciting regeneration plans but this is our way of supporting existing traders.”

In 2020, the council has worked hard to support traders.

This includes launching the Shop Small this Christmas campaign, investing an extra £5,000 in town centre Christmas decorations, launching a Covid information officer team and paying out close to £25 million in business grants.

Coun Lee Waters, who represents Hucknall North for the Ashfield Independents, said: “The amount of residents taking advantage of two-hour free parking is great news for traders.

"This year, retailers have laboured under the most challenging trading conditions seen since World War II.

"As a council, we have worked hard to ensure we support traders as much as we can.

"When shoppers got in touch worried about getting their free parking ticket from machines – we installed hand sanitiser units at every car park.

"We didn’t want people to be put off parking in our town centres.

"This is yet another example of the Ashfield Independents listening to and delivering for local residents in the district.”