Park, meet, shop, and enjoy Torbay this December and pay for just an hour’s parking

News Release PR8782 - published on 24 November 2022

Between 1 December and 24 December, reduced parking fees will be offered in selected Torbay Council car parks.

With many households and businesses feeling the strain, we are determined to do what it can to help ease the burden – especially in the lead up to Christmas.

That’s why for a fourth consecutive year, we are offering our ‘pay for an hour, stay for the day’ parking promotion. The promotion supports town centres during the festive period by encouraging shoppers to fully explore what the main towns and surrounding areas has to offer – without worrying their parking will expire.

Each of the main town centres offer something different. From the cobbled streets lined with independent shops in Brixham, the newly pedestrianised Torbay Road in Paignton which links to Victoria Street, Palace Avenue and Winner Street, to Union Street in Torquay which leads to Fleet Walk and the harbourside or Torre. With plenty of shops, leisure activities, art galleries, salons, and cuisines to sample – there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

The initiative which launches, just ahead of Small Business Saturday on Saturday 3 December, further encourages shoppers to support small businesses in their communities this Christmas. Business owners can register and advertise their business for free to help promote their business both before, during and after on the Small Business Saturday website.

Cllr Steve Darling, Leader of Torbay Council, said; “Town centres and local businesses are at the heart of Torbay. Businesses without a web presence rely solely on customers visiting in person, and that’s why we want to encourage people to shop locally and explore not only the main town centres, but the areas beyond this December. The reduced parking fees have worked well over the last few years and I’m sure people will take advantage of this offer again this year.”

Cllr Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture for Torbay Council, said; “We want to make it as easy as we can for people to shop locally and support local businesses, especially in the lead up to Christmas. This December why not take advantage of this promotion and visit a town centre you may not normally visit to see the variety of shops and businesses that we’ve got. After you’re done shopping, take in one of the fantastic Bay of Lights attractions or walk the Illumination Trail before heading home – knowing you’ve enjoyed a full day without worrying about the cost of parking.”

Businesses can support the initiative by downloading for free posters and social media graphics to let shoppers know about the promotion through their own channels.

Pay for an hour, stay for the day

The scheme will run from 1 December to 24 December (inclusive) at the following car parks:

Torquay – Lower Union Lane and Union Square (closes at 7pm)
Paignton – Victoria multi-storey
Brixham – Central, Freshwater and Oxen Cove

The fee will cover parking from when you arrive until midnight the same day (excluding Union Square which closes at 7pm, and Brixham Central which limits parking time to a maximum of 3 hours).

Fees are in line with zone charges.

For motorists using Brixham Central, the fee will allow for up to a maximum of 3 hours.

For Lower Union Lane, payment should be on entry and not when you leave.

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

Why isn’t the offer available in all car parks?

In secondary shopping areas such as Torre, St Marychurch, Palace Avenue, Winner Street etc, there is generally free parking close by.

Fleet Walk car park is not managed by us.

As part of the campaign, we are highlighting all the different things people can experience in the main town centres and do encourage them to explore other areas.

Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-local commercial campaign, which highlights small businesses and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.

Business owners can register and advertise their business for free on the Small Business Finder to help promote their business both before, during and after small Business Saturday.