Moray Council’s beloved Free After Three parking initiative makes its triumphant return to Elgin’s St Giles Multi-storey car park, marking a decade of supporting local businesses during the festive season.
The scheme, running from 23 November until 28 December 2024, offers complimentary parking between 3pm and 6pm Monday to Saturday, perfectly timed to coincide with Elgin BID’s spectacular Christmas lights switch-on event.
This cherished parking initiative has become a cornerstone of Elgin’s festive celebrations, providing invaluable support to local merchants during the crucial Christmas trading period and subsequent winter sales.
Councillor Marc Macrae, Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Growth and Infrastructure Services Committee, enthusiastically endorses the scheme’s tenth anniversary, highlighting its significance in boosting local commerce and enhancing the town’s festive atmosphere.
The Free After Three programme has consistently demonstrated its effectiveness in drawing visitors to Elgin’s town centre, creating a vibrant shopping environment that benefits both businesses and shoppers during the magical Christmas period.
Local retailers are anticipating a surge in footfall as the combination of festive events and free parking traditionally creates a bustling atmosphere in Elgin’s historic town centre.
The initiative’s timing proves particularly strategic, offering shoppers the flexibility to explore Elgin’s diverse range of independent shops and boutiques during the peak evening shopping hours.
Visitors to Elgin can seamlessly combine their Christmas shopping with enjoying the town’s enchanting festive illuminations, creating a truly magical Highland Christmas experience.
This year’s Free After Three scheme is expected to play a crucial role in supporting the local economy, continuing its decade-long tradition of fostering community spirit and commercial vitality in Elgin’s town centre.
The initiative’s return reinforces Moray Council’s commitment to maintaining Elgin’s position as a premier shopping destination in the Scottish Highlands during the festive season and beyond.
