CARLISLE City Council will be supporting the local high street by providing Free after 3pm parking on Late Night Thursdays.

Starting on Thursday, December 2, the free parking scheme will be available in the following Carlisle City Council car parks: Bitts Park, Caldew Riverside; Castle; Lowther Street; The Sands Centre; Swifts Bank, Viaduct and West Walls.

The offer will be available on the following Thursdays: 2, 9, 16 and 23 December.

The Free after 3pm scheme aims to support high street businesses in Carlisle by encouraging more visitors to park-up, stay local and shop local.

Carlisle City Cllr Nigel Christian, Portfolio holder for Environment and Transport, said: “We need to do all we can to support the local high street and we hope that by providing free parking after 3pm in some of our city centre car parks on Late Night Thursdays, residents will choose Carlisle as their Christmas shopping venue.”

The car park barriers in Caldew Riverside, Castle and West Walls will close at 11pm on each Late Night Thursday.

For those using West Walls Car Park check in/check out service on the Late Night Thursdays, ensure you check out by 3pm to take advantage of the free after 3pm offer.