PARKING has never been easier in Lowesoft!

That is the message from retail leaders as cheaper fees make the town a more attractive place for shoppers.

After long negotations between Lowestoft Town Management Partnership (LTMP) and Waveney District Council to reduce parking charges, there has been an increase in people using car parks – prompting more people to visit local shops, caf�s and restaurants and raising hopes of a busy run-up to Christmas.

As car parking in Lowestoft now costs only �1 for the first hour, �1.50 for two hours, �2.20 for three hours and �3 for four hours it is making increasing sense for people to drive into town to visit more than 40 leading retailers, independent stores, eateries and the Marina Theatre. This boost to the town centre also ties in with The Journal's Love Local campaign, which seeks to promote all that is best about our community.

Emma King, town centre manager, said: 'Lowestoft is a hub of activity. We are all working hard to promote Lowestoft as the shopping destination it is. We have very positive people working in our town who are passionate about Lowestoft and it is thanks to these people that our car park charges have been greatly reduced which is now making Lowestoft an even more attractive shopping destination. It is also welcoming the local shopper who wants to pop into town. So all in all we have managed to achieve an all round parking solution for everyone.'

Susan Patterson, manager of Palmers Department Store, is backing the call for more people to take advantage of the reduced parking fees as the busy pre-Christmas period gets under way.

She told the Journal: 'We have worked tirelessly to reduce these car parking charges and it is a credit to everyone involved that we have finally achieved such great results. We are already seeing an increased usage but we need everyone to realise that parking in Lowestoft is now very reasonable and to ensure that we can maintain these low prices we need people to continue to support the town by parking and shopping in Lowestoft.'

As well as the reduced charges, LTMP is running a scheme that allows people to get their first hour free at the Britten Centre and Battery Green multi-storey car parks by spending more than �10 in participating stores.

It means peope can park for two hours for only 50p so they can stay even longer in the town centre.

Dan Poitras, Britten Centre manager, said: 'The car park refund scheme is proving a great success with many of the retailers seeing customers exchange their tickets and speaking very positively about the car park charges in Lowestoft. The offer of cheaper parking in a town that has such a diverse retail selection is a massive incentive for people to come and shop local, shop Lowestoft. We encourage people to continue to keep coming and we promise we will continue to do all we can to keep the car park charges down.'

•Shops and traders taking part in the refund scheme are: Goldmark, Mothercare, QD Stores, Georgie Porgie, Fab Accessories, Marshall's Fruit and Veg, Crane Clothing, Forget Me Not Florist, Palmers Department Store, Lowestoft Electrical, Emporium: Elephant Interiors, Sawdust, Hughes, Millets, Cash Generator, QD Stores, Bon March�, Dr. Ying Chinese Medical Centre, Wilkinsons, Patch Fabrics and Nibbles.

•As another festive bonus, LTMP and the council are offering free parking from 4pm on the Christmas lights switch-on event on Saturday, November 26, and free parking on the following three Saturdays from 10am.

•Shops and businesses interested in Our Love Local campaign should contact our sales representative, Perry Bartram, on 01493 335043 orby emailing at perry.bartram@archant.co.uk