To help stimulate activity in the Hastings City Centre, there will be free parking in the central retail area for the month of July.

The move was requested by Hastings City Business Association members, and is part of a wider Hastings District Council Covid Action Recovery Plan to attract visitors and shoppers to the city centre.

Hastings City Business Association manager Lucinda Perry said Hastings CBD Ice Rink had been brought back to the mall by the fountain from July 18 to 31 to help draw people into town.

While parking will be free for July, the time limits for car parks will still apply.

The council’s Covid Action Recovery Plan also includes a number of events and activations running through until February next year, including an enhanced and extended Blossom Festival, another Taste Hastings Festival, and additions to traditional Christmas activations.

For more information about the ice rink, and other events and activities in the city, and the location of free carparks go to www.hastingscity.co.nz/freeparking

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