PARKING will be free after 3pm in a Minehead car park over the Christmas period, as part of a trial initiated by the town’s new BID organisation.

In agreement with West Somerset Council, North Road car park will be free after 3pm from November 19 to December 31.

Minehead BID director and local shopkeeper Jon Lee, from Stuarts Home Furnishers, said: “Other towns around the country have tested the need for more flexible parking arrangements in this way.

“It is early days for Minehead BID. We need to test one or two ideas that could be rolled out more widely. This is just one.

“The experimental initiative means that the maximum on-street parking of one hour which catches out some shoppers needn’t happen.”

Attractions Hair and Beauty salon owner Sandra Holness, also welcomed the idea: “We currently operate a late afternoon to early evening service to allow our clients the two-hour-plus appointments they need without having to worry about parking close by. This idea will put less pressure on salons business such as ours.”

Cllr Andrew Hadley, who helped organise the incentive on behalf of West Somerset Council, added: “I am delighted to be able to work with the Minehead BID to deliver this part of the business plan for the benefit of the town’s traders and residents alike.”