New car park helping Ellesmere traders

The introduction of a new car park in Ellesmere for up to 200 cars is helping businesses in the town, it was claimed today.

The spaces have been opened up near the Wharf for business people who have to pay only £2 a year for a permit to park there.

About 160 permits have been issued for the car park so far and Lincoln McMullan, chairman of Ellesmere Chamber of Commerce, says it has helped to free up the town and encourage more shoppers to visit.

He said: "People are saying they are getting busy again. All the shop workers have gone to the car park and it has freed up all the spaces.

"I didn't realise they used all that space. Now they are parking there they are freeing up spaces for people coming into the town and business is up in Ellesmere."

A team of 17 people cleaned up the area of land by the Wharf for the car park.

Mr McMullan said the town only had one empty shop and he encouraged more people to visit.

"We are not a closed town," he said. "The shops and business are open and waiting for people to come to us."

He said the car park would also help with the Food and Drink Festival which will take place on June 18 and 19.

The stall holders will park in the new spaces.