Hundreds of extra Bury St Edmunds weekend car parking spaces at Greene King and Olding Road to alleviate town centre pressure this festive season

Extra weekend car parks in Bury St Edmunds will help to alleviate pressure on existing town centre facilities in the run-up to Christmas.

West Suffolk Council has opened its Olding Road car park, while free spaces will also open to the public at Greene King’s head office car park, off Cullum Road.

Alongside the extra spaces, EcoCarriers BSE is running a weekend pedicab service to and from the town centre.

The festive season kicks off in Bury with style on Thursday with the Christmas lights switch-on and free family-friendly activities.

The following days and weeks will see St Edmundsbury Cathedral’s Christmas market, the opening of Snow White at the Theatre Royal, a winter beer festival and a Christmas Little Makers Market, while the arc shopping centre will host ice skating and performances of Where’s Santa’s Hat and the Abbey Gardens will host Peter and the Wolf Live.

From November 25, Greene King is making 200 spaces available off Cullum Road every weekend up to and including Christmas Eve, from 8am-5pm. The car park is about 10-15 minutes’ walk from the town centre.

Jo Kreckler, Greene King external communications director, said: “Each Christmas we are pleased to be able to open up our car park for shoppers, without any cost, and we’ll be doing the same again in 2023. It is a time when community and festive spirit shine through and we work together to help everyone – businesses, residents and visitors – have a Merry Christmas.”

Town centre visitors can also park for free and walk from West Suffolk Council’s car park in Olding Road, behind the council offices in Western Way. The 300-space car park, which is 10-15 minutes’ walk from the town centre, is available every weekend.

For more on town centre parking in Bury St Edmunds visit https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/parking/car_parks/bse_car_parks/

This year will also see EcoCarriers BSE providing a weekend service, offering pedicab rides to and from the Greene King and Olding Road car parks to the town centre.

The service is free, but donations are welcome.

Libby Ranzetta, one of the founders of the social enterprise, said: “We all know how important and busy a time of year Christmas is for our town centre, so we are pleased to be able to offer this festive service.”

Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, cabinet member for growth at West Suffolk Council, said: “The lights switch on this week marks the start of host of Christmas activities in the town designed to bring festive cheer to local communities and boost the tills of shops, restaurants, cafes and other town centre businesses.

“So, it is great to have the support of one of the town’s biggest employers, Greene King, once again. This will ensure there are enough spaces for people to park, even when the town is at its busiest, helping us to meet demand during this festive season.

“And having enjoyed a trip in the EcoCarriers pedicab to the West Suffolk Business Awards, I am absolutely delighted to hear that EcoCarriers BSE will be offering a service from both the Greene King and Olding Road car parks into the town centre. This will be especially welcome by visitors who are less mobile and so a huge thank you to EcoCarriers BSE for its support.”