Kells traders mull over how to make best use of free parking

Businesses in Kells have been making submissions on how best to use a €10,000 provision for free parking in the town. Kells Town Council wrote to businesses in the town asking for their ideas on free parking initiatives to boost business. The businesses had until last Friday to make their submissions. Town clerk Aine Bird wrote to the traders pointing out that, in recent years, Kells Town Council had made funding available to operate a free parking period in the run-up to Christmas, which has resulted in positive feedback from businesses, shoppers and visitors to the town. "The 2012 budget adopted by the town council makes provision of €10,000 (in foregone revenue) for a similar initiative this year. "In considering how to make best use of this provision, we would like to hear the opinions of businesses as to how the funding should be used," she said. Ms Bird said there was a view that the Christmas parking period should be continued and even expanded upon, but there is also a feeling that some other initiatives might also be worth considering. Suggestions put forward include using the entire funding to maximise the free period at Christmas or to reduce or even end the free Christmas period and focus instead on targeting specific days throughout the year, such as the first Friday of every month. Another possible initiative would be to introduce a pilot scheme to have free parking for a number of hours on Saturdays during the summer months. Another was to combine the free parking with initiatives by the traders and the Chamber of Commerce, perhaps along the lines of 'Fiver Friday' in Kells. It also has been suggested to focus some of the free parking to coincide with other events such as the Kells Heritage Festival. The businesses were sent a short questionnaire and the councillors will now consider the results of the consultation. Ms Bird said the council relies on the parking income to fund services, but councillors agreed to forego €10,000 of that to boost business in Kells. Cllr Brian Curran said it was important that the best use possible be made of the funds. "At the moment, the decline in footfall in Kells is worrying. I urge the people of Kells to shop locally to keep business in the town. "We are taking a three-pronged approach. The council have provided the money, the businesses must decide what initiative they introduce and the people of Kells have to support their local economy," he added.