Shoppers will be able to get discount parking if they purchase items at a number of town centre businesses in Colchester.

Colchester Council’s new MiPermit Discounts scheme, one of the first of its kind in the country, is designed to boost the town’s recovery from the pandemic. 

It means motorists can secure discounts of up to £5 when they make a purchase in a participating town centre business.

Each time a driver pays using the MiPermit app at a council car park they will be given a QR code, which can be scanned at participating shops, restaurants, cafes and salons.

The participating venues which have signed up for the pilot scheme are:

  • Mann’s Music,
  • Bill and Bert’s,
  • Baccus,
  • Emmaus,
  • It’s All at No 11,
  • Blue Sky Printing,
  • Bang & Olufsen,
  • Loofers,
  • North Hill Hotel

The discounts available vary between 50p and £5, meaning residents could end up with their whole stay in the town centre being free of charge.

Read more >> Spending cash in these Colchester business can get you discount on your parking

Simon Crow, councillor responsible for environment and sustainability, said: “This innovative parking discount scheme not only supports our new parking strategy for Colchester but is also a fantastic way for us to support town centre businesses following the impact of coronavirus restrictions over the last year.

“We have worked closely with Colchester’s Business Improvement District (BID) and local businesses for many months to develop the scheme and will continue to do so as the pilot progresses, and we hope lots of motorists will make use of this fantastic offer.

“Usage of the MiPermit app in Colchester has soared over the last year, and for those who haven’t yet downloaded the free app, it’s a quick, easy, secure and contactless way to pay for your parking and is also where all the council’s parking offers can be found.”

BID manager Sam Good added: “We’re really looking forward to working with Colchester Council and the MiPermit teams to bring this great offer to visitors of Colchester.

“This is one of the first projects of its kind in the country, and we’re excited to be helping people get discounted parking, and potentially free parking, simply by shopping in their favourite stores.

“We’re keen to get your favourite stores on board so let them know you’d like to see them take part.”

However, Gazette readers weren’t convinced the scheme would have the desired effect.

Readers took to our Facebook page to express their thoughts.

Norman Noblin said: “Why not reduce the parking charges?

“Out of town retail parks have a three-hour limit.

“It’s about time Colchester Council moved with the times.”

Ed Loach said: “This won’t help congestion though.

“Why not cycle in and save the whole parking charge?”

Adam Fitton said parking in the town centre could unfortunately never be made free of charge.

He said: “Parking will never be free in town as the council would lose too much revenue from it and from the residents’ parking schemes, who would rightly not want to pay either if parking became free in the town.

“Nice idea though.”

To find out more about the scheme, visit www.colchester.gov.

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