26 Sep 2025
Battling back against soaring council car parking charges, St Albans city centre’s independent businesses are offering their customers a discount if they park for at least four hours.
The Shop & Park idea is being promoted as an incentive to shop in St Albans and a thank you for continued support of local businesses.
Each participating business will display a Shop & Park sticker or poster to indicate they offer a discount. There is no one size fits all approach to the discounts. Each business will decide their own level of discount per the amount of spend and display their offer in their premises.
The common factor is that customers must evidence they are parked for a minimum of four hours. Businesses intend the discount will help towards their customers’ parking.
Four business representatives are heading-up the scheme on behalf of the Independent business community.
Vikas Narula, owner of Tikka Nation and spokesperson said: “This scheme is powered by local businesses. We want to give our customers a very clear message that we value them. We recognise that times are difficult financially and with the festive season fast approaching, our message is that customers are welcome in St Albans and we have much to offer. We hope this idea proves mutually beneficial to everyone.”
The scheme starts on Tuesday September 30 and will run to Saturday January 31. It will then be reviewed and businesses will decide to extend, alter, or not, depending on feedback from business peers and customers.
St Albans City Centre BID is supporting the businesses deliver their new scheme.
BID manager Vivien Cannon said: “BID’s role here is to help our local businesses. Our support is given by promoting the scheme on their behalf, helping to get the scheme launched and its ongoing promotion. St Albans customers are incredibly fortunate to have such a proactive business community.”
The four business leaders heading up the scheme are Lee James of Shakin’ Cow, High Street, Sean Hughes of The Boot, Market Place & Dylans, George Street, Vikas Narula of Tikka Nation, Waxhouse Gate, and Dan Leak of The Bishop’s Cave, Holywell Hill.
