Shoppers visiting Glasgow city centre in the run-up to Christmas will be able to take advantage of free parking.
Glasgow City Council will offer free weekend parking at its off-street car parks throughout December in a bid to support local retailers and hospitality businesses.
Speaking ahead of the annual State of the City Economy Conference, Council leader, Ricky Bell said: “In a cost of living crisis, the cost of getting around town can be a barrier to folk accessing the town for shopping or a night out”
“The introduction of the bus fare cap and the removal of peak fares on trains have helped — but there is more I want to do about affordability.
“We need to put our hands up when we’ve not got something quite right — and I think we’ve pitched the price of parking in the city centre too high.
“I’m committed to not raising parking costs in the city centre for the next couple of years — but I want to do more.”
During his keynote speech at the conference, Cllr Bell is expected to announce that he has instructed officials to make parking free on Saturdays and Sundays throughout December at council-run off-street car parks in the city centre.
The car parks covered by the initiative include Cadogan Square, Cambridge Street, Duke Street, Charing Cross and Concert Square.
He added: “The cost of living is one of the biggest challenges facing families in Glasgow — and people are really going to feel that at Christmas.
“Our Christmas marketing campaign is ‘Get You In Town’. If we can cut a few pounds off the cost of weekend shopping trips, or getting together with friends and family, that’s money that is more likely to be spent in stores, or bars and restaurants.
“It’s better for shoppers and families and it’s better for our businesses.”