To encourage residents to shop locally, Dorset Council is supporting local events with free parking this festive season.

In ongoing support of the local economy, Dorset Council offers town councils six free parking days in Dorset Council-owned car parks each year. This is made up of Small Business Saturday in December, plus one weekday in December and four days for events which generate valuable footfall for that town.

All Dorset Council-owned town centre car parks will be free on Small Business Saturday (4 December) in Beaminster, Blandford, Bridport, Dorchester, Gillingham, Lyme Regis, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Wareham, Weymouth and Wimborne.

Additional free parking dates have also been confirmed for individual town council Christmas events in Blandford, Dorchester, Gillingham, Lyme Regis, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Sturminster Newton and Weymouth.

On-street parking charges, and private car park charges, will still apply. Drivers are encouraged to check signage on machines at each car park to avoid paying unnecessarily.

Free festive parking

Beaminster

Free parking on Saturday 4 December.

• The Square
• Yarn Barton

Blandford

Free parking on Saturday 4 December, plus free parking on Thursday 2 December to support the Yuletide Festival.

• Church Lane
• Eagle House Gardens
• Langton Road (short stay)
• Langton Road (long stay)
• Langton Road (commercial)
• Marsh & Ham
• Marsh & Ham (coaches)
• Station Court

Bridport

Free parking on Saturday 4 December.

• East Street (short stay)
• East Street (long stay)
• Football Club (free parking courtesy of town council)
• Hope Terrace
• Plottingham (free parking courtesy of town council)
• Rope Walks
• South Street
• West Street (commercial)
• West Street
• Wykes Court

Dorchester

Free parking on Saturday 4 December, plus free parking on Saturday 27 November and Wednesday 22 December as part of the ‘Shop Dorchester for Christmas’.

• Durngate Street
• Fairfield (short stay)
• Fairfield (long stay)
• Old Market
• Top O Town (short stay)
• Top O Town (long stay)
• Top O Town (commercial)
• Trinity Street (south)
• Wollaston Field

Gillingham

Free parking on Saturday 4 December, plus free parking on Saturday 27 November and Sunday 28 November to support festive shopping.

• Chantry Fields
• Gas lane
• High Street (short stay)
• High Street (long stay)

Lyme Regis

Free parking on Saturday 4 December, plus free parking on Thursday 23 December to support the ‘Carols round the Tree’ event.

• Lower Sea Lane, Charmouth (4 Dec only)
• Charmouth Road
• Broad Street
• Cobb Gate
• Holmbush

Shaftesbury

Free parking on Saturday 4 December, plus free parking on Friday 26 November, Saturday 27 November, Sunday 28 November and Monday 29 November to support the switching on of the Christmas lights. And Christmas Eve – Friday 24 December.

• Angel Lane
• Bell Street

Sherborne

Free parking on Saturday 4 December, plus free parking on Sunday 5 December to support festive shopping.

• Acreman Street
• Coldharbour
• Culverhayes (short stay)
• Culverhayes ( long stay)
• Culverhayes (commercial)
• Newland North
• Old Market Yard

Sturminster Newton

Free parking on Saturday 4 December, plus free parking on Saturday 27 November to support the town’s Christmas event.

• Church Street
• Station Road

Wareham

Free parking on Saturday 4 December.

• West Street (Corfe Castle)
• Bonnets Lane
• Connegar Lane
• Rempstone
• Streche Road

Weymouth

Free parking on Saturday 4 December, plus free parking on Saturday 27 November to support the switching on of the Christmas lights. There will also be free parking on Thursday 16 December, when the Rifles Band will be playing by the tree.

• Cosens Quay (after 9am)
• Council Offices, North Quay
• Governors Lane (maximum stay 3 hours)
• Harbourside (maximum stay 3 hours)
• Melcombe Regis
• Park Street
• Pavilion
• Pavilion Forecourt
• Royal Yard
• Swannery

Wimborne

Free parking on Saturday 4 December.

• King Street
• Allenview South
• Allenview West
• Allenview North
• Westfield Close
• Pye Corner
• Old Road
• Hanham Road
• Poole Road
• Leigh Road
• Park Lane

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