THE Forest Council is supporting small businesses and festive celebrations in the Forest towns with free car parking in council-owned car parks.

Cllr Patrick Molyneux, leader of the council, said: “This year for the first time we will also be actively supporting the annual Small Business Saturday campaign, with free car parking all day in Coleford, Lydney, Cinderford, Newent and Mitcheldean on Saturday, December 3.

“The event is a fantastic opportunity for local entrepreneurs to participate and compete for trade. It’s a national non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support the small businesses in their communities.

“We’re also supporting the Christmas light switch-on events across the district with free car parking from 12 noon to 8am the following day in the four market towns.” 

This will apply in Lydney, Cinderford and Newent on Saturday, November 26 and in Coleford on Friday, December 2.

“Cabinet unanimously agreed to waive the parking charges for these events and we hope these gestures will encourage Christmas shoppers to visit their local towns with their families and support local traders.”