Christmas shoppers can enjoy free parking during the festive season in several car parks.

This incentive, run in council car parks across Sussex, is supposed to encourage people to support local shops and businesses on high streets in towns in the area.

Free parking will be offered in off-street car parks on Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas 2023 in the Arun district and in select car parks in the Rother district.

Hastings Borough Council has just announced its free Christmas parking incentive which gives shoppers free parking on evenings in the final week before the big day.

Shoppers will be able to park for free in Hastings council car parks from Monday, December 18 until Saturday, December 23 between 4pm and 9pm each evening.

This free parking coincides with the late-night shopping at Priory Meadow Shopping Centre to help support local businesses in the area.

Parking will also be free at all council car parks in Hastings on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day to enable people to visit family and friends, eat out or enjoy some fresh air. Normal parking charges will restart the following morning.

Councillor Ali Roark, lead for environment at Hastings Borough Council, said: "We are delighted to be helping support local businesses by providing free parking in our car parks over the festive period, making it easier and cheaper for residents and visitors to enjoy all the fantastic shops and restaurants in the town centre and Old Town.

"Whether you are shopping for gifts for your family or friends or looking for Christmas treats for yourself, you will be sure to find something unique to purchase."

The dates and timings for free parking across Sussex are:

On Saturday, November 25, all day:

  • Fitzleet car park, Bognor (for the Christmas lights switch on)
  • In Battle's Lower Market, Upper Market and Mount Street car parks

On Saturday, December 2, all day:

  • Bognor – Lyon Street and Hothamton car parks
  • Littlehampton – St Martins car park
  • Rye - Clinque Ports Street, The Strand, Bedford Place, Lucknow Place and Gibbet Marsh car parks

On Sunday, December 3, from 4pm:

  • Little Common car park

On Thursday, December 7, from 4pm:

  • Battle - Lower Market, Upper Market and Mount Street car parks

On Saturday, December 9, and December 16, all day:

  • Littlehampton – Manor House car park
  • Bognor -  Fitzleet car park
  • Bexhill - De La Warr, Eversley Road, Manor Barn And Gardens, Town Hall,  Wainwright Road and War Memorial car parks
  • Rye - at Clinque Ports Street, The Strand, Bedford Place, Lucknow Place and Gibbet Mars car parks 

Sunday, December 10, all day:

  • Little Common car park

Saturday, December 16, all day:

  • Little Common car park

Friday, December 22, all day:

  • Little Common car park

Saturday, December 23, all day:

  • Bexhill - De La Warr, Eversley Road, Manor Barn And Gardens, Town Hall,  Wainwright Road and War Memorial car parks

Monday, December 18, until Saturday, December 23, between 4pm and 9pm and all day Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day at the following car parks in Hastings:

  • Carlisle Parade
  • Castle Hill
  • Crystal Square
  • Grosvenor Gardens
  • Marina
  • Pelham
  • Priory Street
  • Rock a Nore
  • St Margarets
  • The Bourne (pay and display)
  • Summerfields
  • Falaise Hall
  • Falaise Road
  • The Pier Underground