Free festive parking returns to Southend to support local shopping and small businesses

November 19, 2025

Southend-on-Sea City Council is bringing back free Sunday parking throughout December to encourage residents and visitors to shop locally and support small businesses during the festive season.

Free festive parking – every Sunday during December

Starting Sunday 7 December, free parking will be available every Sunday until 28 December in the following council-managed car parks:

Alexandra Street Car Park (602029)

Clarence Road Car Park (602030)

Elm Road Leigh Car Park (602026)

Hamlet Court Road Car Park (602023)

Ilfracombe Avenue Car Park (602021)

London Road North Car Park (602033)

Seaway Car Park (602027)

Short Street Car Park (602039)

Thorpe Bay Broadway Car Park (602020)

University Square Car Park (602062)

Small Business Saturday – free parking all day on 6 December

This year’s festive offer also coincides with Small Business Saturday on 6 December, a national campaign celebrating the UK’s 5.45 million small businesses. To mark the occasion, the council will offer free parking all day at the following locations:

Alexandra Street Car Park (602029)

Ceylon Road Car Park (602024)

Clarence Road Car Park (602030)

Elm Road Leigh Car Park (602026)

Hamlet Court Road Car Park (602023)

Ilfracombe Avenue Car Park (602021)

London Road North Car Park (602033)

North Road Car Park (602022)

North Street Car Park (602025)

Pitmans Close Car Park (602098)

Short Street Car Park (602039)

Thorpe Bay Broadway Car Park (602020)

Tylers Avenue–York Road Car Park (602060)

University Square Car Park (602062)

Warrior Square Car Park (602031)

Cllr Daniel Cowan, Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: “We said we would introduce a seasonal parking offer – and we’ve delivered. Listening to local businesses along the seafront and across the city, this is our first ever winter parking tariff running from November through to the end of January.

“By combining free festive parking and a seasonal discount, we’re helping attract more people into the city and encouraging them to support our local businesses. Promise made, promise delivered.

“We’re proud to welcome over seven million visitors a year – that’s 34 visitors for every resident. But we also want it to make it easier for everyone to enjoy our city and spend locally, especially during the festive season, but ideally all year round.”

Cllr Matt Dent, Cabinet Member for Business, Culture, Music and Tourism, added: “We’re calling on all our residents to support Southend’s high street – especially in the run up to Christmas – as our small businesses are the heart of our local economy. Offering free parking on Small Business Saturday and throughout December makes it easier for people to visit and support their local shops, cafés and services.

“Every pound spent locally helps keep our high streets vibrant, our economy strong and our communities thriving.”

Nick Singer, Operations Director at Kingpins on Lucy Road, added: "This is a positive step by the council, and one that will genuinely benefit our seafront community. Winter is always tougher for businesses along the front. Making a day out more affordable encourages more people to visit and spend locally, and I very much welcome that.”

These festive parking offers complement the council’s winter parking discount, which runs from 1 November 2025 to 31 January 2026. During this period, parking charges at Zone 1A seafront locations are reduced, with hourly rates cut from £3 to £2.30 and longer stays discounted by up to 23%.

Residents are reminded that the Southend Pass remains the best-value option for regular parking, offering up to three hours of daily parking across the city, plus a free three-hour evening session in Zone 1 or University Square Car Park after 6pm.