Details of Athlone free Christmas parking

In an effort to help generate more activity for Athlone's retailers, restaurants, hotels and pubs, Westmeath County Council, supported by Athlone Chamber of Commerce, is providing all-day free parking in six town centre car parks for a one-week period, from this Friday, December 17, until Friday, December 24.

The free parking concession will be available in the council's car parks at the following locations: The Fair Green, St Mary's Square, The Strand, Connaught Street, Athlone Castle, and O'Connell Street.

Motorists will still be required to pay for parking at privately owned facilities and along 'on-street' pay zones in the town.

The week-long initiative was proposed by the town's Deputy Mayor, Cllr Aengus O'Rourke.

Cllr O'Rourke commented, "This is a positive initiative, and it is a considerable investment by the council. The local authority will forego significant car-parking revenue in the run-up to Christmas.

"However, it demonstrates that the council is entirely supportive of Athlone's businesses, and I hope that the waiving of car parking fees and increased traffic management in the town will make shopping locally considerably more attractive to the people in the Athlone region and those visiting our town.

"I would also urge local businesses to offer further incentives to shoppers such as discounts or savings to match the council's offer and ensure Christmas shoppers get excellent value in Athlone this festive season,” Cllr O’Rourke said.

Athlone Chamber of Commerce President Alan Shaw stated, "Athlone Chamber of Commerce is delighted to be associated with the free car parking initiative once again. This will give a boost to our members in retail who will benefit from increased shoppers to the town from December 17-24.

"We wish to thank Westmeath County Council for providing the necessary funding to enable this initiative. We also use this opportunity to wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and a happy new year."