Late-night shopping in Leicester will be easier this Christmas thanks to extra Park & Ride services on Mondays to Saturdays throughout December, funded by Leicester’s Business Improvement District (BID).

Monday to Saturday services will run between one and three hours later during the busy Christmas period, allowing shoppers to make the most of extended opening hours at city centre businesses. The Park & Ride buses will continue to run every 30 minutes after 7pm to Meynell’s Gorse, Birstall and Enderby. The final service will leave the city centre 15 minutes after Highcross closing time.

The late-night service is also great news for those looking to take to the ice at Jubilee Square Ice Rink, with the extra hours making evening skating an option for Park & Ride users.

Departure times of the final service will vary throughout December, with the latest buses departing the city centre at 10.15pm during the week commencing Monday 17 December.

The extended Monday to Saturday Park & Ride Christmas service is being funded by BID Leicester to encourage people to make the most of Leicester City Centre this Christmas. Simon Jenner, BID Leicester director, said: “The Christmas period is a busy and exciting time in the city, so we want to enable people to stay in Leicester later and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

“The extended service will also provide a convenient option for city centre workers to get home after later shifts.

“Whether Christmas shopping, working late or staying in the city for a festive party, residents, visitors and the city’s businesses will benefit from this scheme.”

As well as extended Monday to Saturday services, Park & Ride will operate services on all five Sundays in December, making it easier than ever to enjoy everything the city centre has to offer this festive season.

Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke said: “These extended Park & Ride services are great news for anyone looking for an affordable and hassle-free way of coming into Leicester this Christmas.

“Extending the service during the late-night opening shopping period will mean people can take advantage of everything that’s on offer without the need to bring the car into the city centre at this busy time of year.

“We’ve already seen the popularity of Park & Ride grow in recent months, and this special Christmas service is a perfect opportunity for more people to explore the benefits for themselves.”

Cllr Blake Pain, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for passenger transport, said: “Leicester Park & Ride services are the perfect way to travel into the city centre to make the most of the festive season. Whether it’s for a shopping trip, a day out with the family, visiting the big wheel and ice rink in Jubilee Square or just relaxing with friends, the extra services throughout December will make it easier.

“I would encourage everyone planning trips into the city centre to leave their cars at one of our three Park & Ride sites and take the bus instead.”

The additional services mean that the Park & Ride will be operating every day in December except Christmas Day, with more services than last year. Park & Ride sites are located at Meynell’s Gorse, Enderby and Birstall, where people can leave their cars and travel into the city centre and back for just £4 for up to five people travelling together in the same car.

All three of the Park & Ride sites have free parking, including electric charge points, disabled spaces and parent and child parking.

The core Park & Ride services in Leicester are jointly funded by Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council. Click here to download the extended timetable. More details of the additional services, festive timetables and fares are available from the Leicester Park & Ride website: www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/parkandride

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