Free parking for week will cost Navan Town Council €25,000

There will be free parking on the streets of Navan and in local town council car parks from next Friday until Christmas Eve, following a decision taken by councillors at last week's meeting of Navan Town Council. There was also free parking in the town last Saturday. The free parking applies between the hours of 11am and 6pm. At last week's meeting, proposals by Cllr Shane Cassells, Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons and Cllr Francis Deane to provide free parking for the run-up to Christmas were aired. Cllr Fitzsimons said they had provided free parking at Christmas for the past few years and local retailers were very grateful for that. He said the free week was a great boost to both shoppers and retailers. Cllr Francis Deane said he hoped it would generate much-needed extra business for retailers and businesses trading in Navan. "These are difficult times, especially for small independent retailers. There are 11 retail units vacant on Trimgate Street," he said. He urged people to spend their money locally this Christmas to retain and even create jobs. "Navan is looking splendid with the new lights creating a feelgood atmosphere," he said. Cllr Shane Cassells predicted that, with the recent VAT increase, even more money will go out of the economy and he said all the iniatives that encourage people to come out and shop in Navan are very important. He welcomed the erection of the crib on the main street of the town and said it was an appropriate celebration of Christmas. Cllr Joe Reilly said it was important people realised that, by allowing free parking, the council was losing €25,000 - but this was an investment they were making to improve trade. He said it was also important that the traders come together to provide promotions and voucher systems and other initiatives that contribute to the shopping experience in Navan. The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Anton McCabe, who switched on the Christmas lights the previous week, thanked all those who made the Christmas launch in Navan such a success and he urged people to "think local, shop local" and keep Navan in business. He thanked the sponsors who came on board for the 2011 festivities, including Navan Town Centre, St Mary's Credit Union and Marks & Spencer. He said that while Navan Town Council did receive sponsorship from a few outlets, he could not believe the reception he received from most of the big chain stores and fast food outlets who did not 'buy into' the Christmas launch. "Shame on them, as they are the winners when it comes to footfall in the town over the festive season," Cllr McCabe said. "Indeed, some retailers took time out to phone the town hall and verbally abuse staff who were working hard to launch the Christmas fair," he added.