Free Sunday buses and free weekday parking after 3pm are being introduced this month to encourage shoppers to spend money in Harrogate's shops this Christmas.

Harrogate Business Improvement District, which aims to boost the town centre, is behind both projects.

The 'free after three' parking initiative allows motorists to park in the Victoria car park on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays free of charge after 3pm.

It begins on Monday and will run until Christmas Eve.

The 'Sunday Freeway' initiative, which returns this year, gives people the chance to catch a free ride on one of Harrogate Bus Company's electric buses on a Sunday.

It includes the 2A, 2B, 3 and 6 services, which link Bilton, Dene Park, The Knox, Jennyfield and Pannal Ash with the town centre. The initiative will run through December and into the New Year.

The projects are part of the BID's Harrogate at Christmas campaign, which encourages shoppers to support local businesses after a difficult year that has seen many closures.

Harrogate BID acting chairman Sara Ferguson said:

Read more:

• Harrogate's independent shops say they will wait to see how many shoppers return before opening late.


• Shops on Commercial Street have banded together to promote the street.