Starting this weekend (Saturday 27 November) – the same day as the Christmas lights switch on event  – free car parking will be available all-day Saturday until the end of January 2022, adding to free parking already in place on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Free Saturday parking is also already available in the borough’s other town centre over in Earlestown.

Whether it’s for Christmas shopping or calling into town for something to eat and drink at a number of quality independent restaurants – an action-packed programme of events is also the ideal opportunity to take advantage of this offer.

Don’t miss this year’s countdown to Christmas in Church Square on Saturday 27 November, (12:00pm-6:00pm) – headlined by local comedy folk band, The Lancashire Hotpots. While over at the former Chalon Way multistorey site in Foundry Street, a winter tipi full of free festive arts and crafts activities will pitch up the same day – with a synthetic ice rink to come from Thursday 2 December, joining the popular drive-in cinema which will be around until Saturday 18 December.

Saturday 4 December will see a Festive Fun event held in St Helens Town Centre between 12:00pm-4:00pm – followed by a Santa and real reindeer visit the following Saturday (11 December), also from 12:00pm-4:00pm).

Over at St Mary’s Market, there will be balloon modelling and Christmas bauble making on Saturday 4 December, followed by children’s entertainment and live music over the coming weeks.

Councillor Kate Groucutt, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Business, said: “As Christmas approaches, we’re supporting our local shops and residents by offering free Saturday parking in St Helens Town Centre. We hope this will help to give a boost to hardworking local businesses that have had such a difficult year.”

Car parks free on a Saturday include:

Birchley Street – Surface Car Park

Central Street – Surface Car Park

Cotham Street – Surface Car Park

Hardshaw Centre – Roof Top Car Park

Mill Street – Surface Car Park

Millennium Centre – Surface Car Park

North John Street – Surface Car Park

Parr Street – Surface Car Park

Tolver Street – Surface Car Park

Tontine – Multi Storey Car Park

Ward Street – Surface Car Park

Waterloo Street – Surface Car Park

This offer does not apply to on street pay and display parking spaces.