Festive cheer for Buckley retailers as parking charges look set to be axed over Christmas.

Struggling traders in Buckley could be in for a welcome boost in the run-up to Christmas.

Deeside.com understands a deal has been struck between Flintshire County Council and Buckley Town Council which will see free parking return to the town over the festive period.

One Buckley Town Councillor had previously called Flintshire Council  ‘Scrooge-like” after officials refused to back a plan for free parking in the town over the Christmas period.

Buckley Town Council made several requests to Flintshire officers asking them to consider offering free parking in towns five car parks during the run up to the Christmas.

Some business owners in Buckley have branded car park charges disastrous for the town saying footfall had dropped since car park charges were introduced to the towns 260 carpark spaces last August.

Flintshire council has said the car park charges in Buckley are intended to support the town centre and it’s businesses, the aim they say is to ensure parking spaces are always available for shoppers and visitors and preventing spaces being taken up by commuters and those not looking to use local businesses.

Removing car park charges would in the view of Flintshire officials, undermine the aim of keeping as many spaces free for shoppers visiting the town.

According to those familiar with the situation, officers at Buckley Town Council have been told that if they are ‘willing accept an inevitable reduction in the number of parking spaces available’ then car park charges in Buckley can be axed over the festive period.

The move will cost the town several thousands of pounds as the deal includes having to reimburse Flintshire County Council the full amount for lost car park revenue, the total figure equal to last years revenue in Buckley for the same period.

At a meeting last week Buckley Town council agreed to take up the offer from Flintshire Council, the move will cost the town council several thousand pounds, money which will be paid directly to Flintshire County Council.

It’s also been proposed that despite the relaxing on car park charges over December Flintshire Council Enforcement officers will continue to enforce against any ‘out of bay’ or vehicles parking in non-permitted areas.Buckley Town Council will be responsible for “all promotions, notifications and the provision of any additional signage within the car parks advertising the revised charging arrangements.”

Buckley Town Council will also be responsible for “all promotions, notifications and any additional signage within the car parks advertising the revised charging arrangements.”

Though no formal announcement has been made, Buckley Town Council have the option and are expected to take car park meters out of operation from 1st December 2016 through to 31st December 2016.

Flintshire towns look to be going on the offence this Christmas, last week Holywell town council placed a four-page advert in the Wrexham Leader Newspaper.

Holywell Town Council appear to capitalising on Wrexham’s recent retail woes with a Welsh Government, Flintshire County Council funded (according to the advert) marketing campaign in an effort to drive footfall in the town.

Picture via Wrexham.com who were a little surprised to see this in their local edition of the Leader.

We have asked Buckley Town Council for a comment.

Term ‘Scrooge-like” credit Flintshire Leader.