Argyll and Bute Council has agreed that charges will be suspended in Helensburgh car parks for the Helensburgh and Lomond Winter Festival. Car parks in the town will be free from Friday November 30 to Sunday December 2.

This comes on the back of the £36,000 of council funding made available to the Helensburgh and Lomond Winter Festival Committee through an agreement with Helensburgh and Lomond Chamber of Commerce. This is in addition to the £25,000 the council has spent on supplying and erecting festive decorations in the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

 Area Leader for Helensburgh and Lomond, Councillor James Robb said: “The Helensburgh and Lomond Winter Festival promises lots of festive fun for all the family. I hope that this relaxation of car parking charges in the town will encourage even more people to come along.

“This is a large investment by the council in Helensburgh to fund the Christmas festivities for the enjoyment of residents and visitors, but it also has a serious economic purpose. 

“If this investment produces the required economic benefit there are arrangements in place to continue council funding for another two years. With that demonstrated benefit to local businesses it would be hoped that the business community would then be prepared to continue this into future years. Good luck to the committee and I hope everybody has a great time this weekend in Helensburgh.”