Copeland Borough Council have brought forward their plans to offer free parking in the borough - and all council car parks will now be free from November 5 until January 3.
A spokesperson said: "We had planned to introduce free parking from the start of December to help boost the town centre economies over the festive period.
"But following the announcement that England will this week enter a four-week lockdown, we will suspend charges for our car parks from this Thursday."
Mayor Mike Starkie said: “We absolutely support the Government’s efforts to prevent all unnecessary travel and this move is NOT designed to encourage shoppers or visitors to the area. We continue to urge people to stay at home, to stay safe and to help protect the local NHS services.
“Our provision of free parking is to assist the NHS and those who are leading the fight against coronavirus, including staff of critical town centre businesses that must remain open, including food shops, doctor's surgeries and pharmacies, and the residents who need to use them.
“We had planned to offer free parking throughout December, and we intend to honour this pledge to encourage residents to shop local and support our whole business community when it is safe for them to reopen.”
Car parks that are now free to use from Thursday for the permitted purposes only are listed on the council website. Permit-holders will have their payments deferred.
