Ludlow park and ride fare slashed in bid to boost festive trade (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Ludlow park and ride fare slashed in bid to boost festive trade

8:00am Friday 2nd November 2012 in News By Adrian Kibbler

A SPECIAL Christmas fare will be introduced to encourage people to shop in Ludlow.

In the run up to Christmas the bus fare on the town’s park and ride service will be nearly halved.

From Friday, November 16 until Christmas Eve the fare from the park and ride terminus on the Eco Park will be just 50p compared with the normal 95p charge.

The concession has been won by Rosanna Taylor-Smith, who represents Ludlow on Shropshire Council.

“I hope that it will help trade at this crucial time,” said Rosanna Taylor-Smith.

“When I know that a concession was being given in Shrewsbury I was determined that the same should apply in Ludlow.”

The bus fare reduction will cover the main Christmas shopping period and include the Medieval Fayre and switching on of the Ludlow's lights.

It will also include the three Tinsel Tuesdays in the town when there will be special Christmas gift markets and free parking at the town’s car parks from 2pm on the three Tuesdays in December.

Ludlow Town Council, Shropshire Council and the Chamber of Trade have worked together to develop a programme to boost trade during what can be a make or break period for shoppers.

The concessionary fares, parking charges and the special Tuesdays mark a new strategy and a move away from the late night shopping in previous years that was not considered a great success.