In anticipation of lockdown easing, we plan to offer reduced parking fees at nominated council car parks in December. From Thursday 3 December, people will “pay for an hour, stay for a day” in selected car parks in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

Last year our 'pay for an hour stay for a day' offer was only available on Sundays. This year, we intend to extend it to every trading day from 3 December up to – and including – 24 December. This is in response to research conducted by TDA on how to support our local High Streets.

Steve Darling, Leader of the Council, said: “It has never been more important for us to support our local businesses. We really hope that Torbay will come out of restrictions at the start of December so people can shop local. With that in mind, we plan to expand our Christmas parking offer so we make it cheaper for people to shop at quieter times of the week. It also allows people to visit without watching the clock: if they need to queue to get in a shop, they don’t need to worry that their parking is running out.”

Councillor Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture, said: “Earlier this year, TDA found that around 40 per cent of High Street businesses in the Bay did not then have a website so were dependent on customers visiting in person. We want to make space so we can keep our High Streets safe, so we’ve expanded the parking scheme to help people spread out their visits.”

Until restrictions are lifted, people should stay at home except for the specific purposes allowed in the national guidance.

Pay for an hour, stay for the day

The scheme will run from 3 December to 24 December inclusive at the following car parks:

• Torquay - Lower Union Lane and Union Square
• Paignton - Victoria Multi Storey
• Brixham – Freshwater and Oxen Cove

The fee of £1.40 will cover parking from when you arrive until midnight the same day.

For people using Brixham Central, the £1.40 fee will allow for up to the maximum stay of 3 hours: this would normally cost up to £3.50.

Free on-street parking in Torquay and Paignton

The usual free street parking will still apply in Torquay and Paignton on Sundays in December on the following roads:

• Torquay – Magdalene Road, Lymington Road, Castle Road, Union Street, Babbacombe Road.
• Paignton – Palace Avenue.