Shoppers are to be provided with a number of free parking incentives during the six-week build-up to Christmas, Cork City Council has announced.

City Manager Tim Lucey told councillors last night that shoppers would have free parking from 10am to noon in both Paul Street and North Main Street car parks from Monday to Thursday from October 22.

There will be free parking from 6.30pm until midnight in Paul Street car park.
It is an extension of the scheme which ran for four weeks last year.
Also, from October 27, the city council will offer a free park and ride facility from the Kinsale Road, which is a new feature for 2012.
The initiative is expected to cost €120,000 in addition to the €200,000 to fund the Cork Christmas Celebration at Grand Parade and Bishop Lucey Park.
Cork Business Association reacted positively to the scheme.
Tom Durcan, president of the association, said: “This news is beneficial for consumers and traders alike.
“We are delighted by Cork City Council’s continued support for parking initiatives, which were a huge boost to the city last year, and hope that this will ignite an increase in trading in the city centre before Christmas.”