Leominster Independents Day draws shoppers to town

Founded in 2022, Leominster's Independents Day celebrates local businesses.

The event was launched to entice people back to the high street after two years of Covid restrictions, and has remained an annual fixture since.

The waffle van was popular among shoppers in Leominster (Image: Nigel Mee)

Previous events have seen shoppers flock to the market town to take advantage of the market and visit the town's other independent businesses, and this year's event was no different.  

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The 2024 Leominster Independents Day was held on Saturday, March 10.

The day saw a farmer's market being held in the town's Corn Square, with refreshments and snacks including freshly-made waffles on offer, street entertainment, and children's trails. 

Entertainment was on offer in Corn Square during the day (Image: Nigel Mee)

And if that wasn't enough to entice shoppers in, the town's car parks were free for the day, with few spaces to be found as visitors headed in to the town.

Should parking be free?

Some locals have been left questioning whether parking should be free in Herefordshire all the time. 

Taking to social media, Ashley English said the event, with its free parking, had drawn so many shoppers that it had taken them almost 20 minutes to find a parking space in the "rammed" town.

Among other commenters were Sally Powles, who said parking charges put many off shopping in town, while Claire Passey said she would "love to know" how much takings went down after car parking charges were introduced.

What does parking in Leominster cost?

According to Herefordshire Council, Leominster has a total of 575 car park spaces.

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Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

The town's Dishley Street and Broad Street car parks cost £1 for one hour, £2 for two hours, and £3 for up to 24 hours from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, but are free on Sundays. Coaches are free all the time.

Prices at the Etnam Street car park start at 90p for one hour, going up by 90p each hour for four hours, while stays of over four hours and up to 24 hours cost £4.50 from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. Sundays are again free.

And the Central Area car park costs £1.20 for one hour or £2.40 for two hours, from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, with free parking on Sundays.