Shoppers can park for free in council's Sheffield city centre car parks every Sunday until Christmas

Thousands of people are expected to head to Sheffield city centre for the switch-on celebration tomorrow, which takes place in the Peace Gardens between 2.30pm and 6.30pm, with the lights being switched on at 5.30pm.

Sheffield City Council says the free parking scheme, which will run until Sunday, November 22, begins tomorrow ‘so that visitors can take full advantage’.

Ben Brailsford, Parking Services Manager at Sheffield City Council said: “We’ve given city centre visitors free parking on Sundays during the Christmas season for the last two years and we’re really pleased to be able to provide this once again.

“Sundays are the perfect day for people to come in to the city centre for their Christmas shopping, as well as to enjoy all the fantastic events and activities taking place.

“There are many alternative ways to travel in Sheffield and at this busy time of the year we would encourage people wherever possible to use the bus and tram services running throughout the city, but we understand this is not always doable.

“Through our free parking initiative we hope to support Sheffield’s retailers in making the city centre a great place for families to visit during this magical festive period.”

All pay and display parking in the city centre will be free on the six Sundays leading up to Christmas: November 17 and 24 and December 1, 8, 15 and 22.

Privately run car parks are not included in the offer.

Those using the council’s free city centre parking spaces can simply park up and do not need to get a ticket from the parking machine.

The offer is part of the wider Sheffield City Centre’s Christmas offer and was developed after discussions with the City’s Retailers Group and supported by The Sheffield Business Improvement District.

The city centre will be full of activity throughout this month and next month with attractions including tomorrow’s Christmas lights switch-on event, Christmas Market and new alpine bar, Thor’s Tipi Bar, Brearley Bear’s Christmas Trail, late night shopping, fairground rides and much more.

Diane Jarvis, BID Manager at Sheffield BID said: “The free Sunday parking provides an additional incentive for visitors to experience Sheffield city centre’s retail, leisure and entertainment offer this Christmas.

“With Sheffield BID’s Christmas Trail taking place between November 23 – December 24, alongside other events including the Christmas markets and Sheffield Cathedral’s spectacular The Angels Are Coming sound and light show, there’s an exciting programme of festive activity planned in the city.

“In addition to this, new store openings continue to strengthen the city centre’s retail proposition meaning Christmas shopping in the city has never been better.”

Boxing Day and New Year’s Day are two of the busiest days on the festive calendar when many people visit family members, start shopping in the sales, attend local football matches and meet for other social gatherings. Sheffield City Council says it is funding public transport on these two important dates, to make sure people have travel options and can make the most of the festive holidays.

For more information on the council’s city centre car parks click here.