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SHOPPERS will be able to park for free on weekends during December in council-run car parks in Bridgend and Porthcawl.

Free weekend parking will be offered in Bridgend town centre in Brackla Street, Tremains Road, The Bowls Hall, Tondu Road and Cheapside, as well as a patch of land off Brackla Street, where the former Lorne Stewart offices used to be.

The John Street and Hillsboro Place car parks in Porthcawl town centre will also be free, but charges will still apply at Rest Bay, the Halo car park at Bridgend Life Centre, and Bryngarw House and Country Park.

A seasonal show of support for the town centres

Councillor Charles Smith, Bridgend County Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: “Parking is already free on Sundays, but we are making Saturdays free throughout December too, including Boxing Day, as an extra incentive to attract people to shop locally this Christmas.

“We are pleased to be able to waive the charges on these busy shopping days as a seasonal show of support for the town centres.

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“With work on the all-new Rhiw car park well under way, we are keen to highlight the other council-run car parks that remain in Bridgend town centre, while there are also spaces available at privately-run car parks.”

The new Rhiw development will feature a brand-new car park, apartments and a commercial unit suitable for a shop, cafe or restaurant. The car park is due to be completed by October 2016, while the apartments and commercial unit are set to be completed by the end of March 2017.

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The £9m Rhiw project is funded by the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places scheme, Coastal Housing Group and Bridgend County Borough Council.