Sunday Shopping For 3 Days, Free Parking For 2
[Updated with free parking specifics, not Hamilton wide, extends to City Hall Hall, No.5 & No.1 parking lots]
The Bermuda Chamber of Commerce’s Retail Division announced two pre-holiday shopping incentives, with stores to open on the three Sundays before Christmas as well as free parking in the City over a two day span.
Retailers have been granted a waiver to the Public Holidays Act, 1947, allowing stores of any size, island-wide, to open between 9 am and 9 pm on Sundays, December 8th, 15th and 22nd.
The Chamber also said that following discussions with the City, Hamilton shoppers will have access to free parking throughout Hamilton, from 2 pm to 6 pm Friday, December 6th, and 8 am to 6 pm on Saturday, December 7th.
[Update: Chamber corrects, states that the free parking is not Hamilton wide, and that it extends to the City Hall, and Number Five and One parking lots.]
Retail Division Chair Paula Clarke noted; “We are delighted that the Ministry of Economic Development has granted us a waiver to the Public Holidays Act 1947, to allow stores of any size, island-wide to open as they wish, between the hours of 9 am and 9 pm on all three Sundays leading up to Christmas.
“Furthermore, we would like to thank the City for forgoing their parking fees to allow shoppers the opportunity to ‘Buy Bermuda’ in comfort and convenience this weekend.
“It is our hope that this added incentive early in December, will encourage shoppers to come into the City to complete their shopping before the last minute rush.
“We acknowledge that the holidays can be fraught with challenges and having just one less thing to worry about is a really nice way of saying thank you to our customers.”
Ms. Clarke also wanted to remind shoppers that the City will be open for late night shopping until 9 pm every Friday night now until Christmas.
She said, “There are just so many great reasons to shop in Bermuda this Christmas! Our stores are crammed with great holiday gift giving ideas and amazing bargains, and the City has arranged for hours of festive entertainment each Friday night now leading up to the 25th.”
“The application for the Sunday shopping waiver was requested as an interim measure, as the Chamber awaits promised changes to the Act. It is anticipated that the amendments to the Act will go before the House prior to the holiday recess, and if passed, go into law early next year,” the Chamber said.
“While the details of the proposed legislative changes are not yet known, it is hope that once amended the Act will minimize regulatory oversight of the industry, thus allowing merchants to operate according to public demand.”
Update: The City said they “would like to advise the motoring public that there will be free parking from 2pm – 6pm on Friday, December 6th and all day on Saturday, December 7th in No. 1, No. 5 and both City Hall Car Parks. Time restrictions will still apply in the lots with free parking.”
“Motorists using the parking lots of PLV, Bulls Head, No. 8, Cavendish, King, Elliott Street as well as City Streets within the voucher zone will need to display payment to avoid a penalty.”
It’s important to help local retail but won’t free parking just mean that people will hog parking spaces and many shoppers will be unable to park, leading to shopper frustration and fewer retail sales?
Yep I work 9-5 so tommorrow at 2pm I will be parking my car free right outside my job. : P
I’m only joking as I have a bike, but lets be honest people will be taking avantage of the system.
opps sorry take out one M.
Is there anything out there that will please the majority. I find this a good incentive to “Buy Bda”. People biAtch and complain about having to pay park / shops not open on Sunday’s – They give it to you and you still biAtch and complain. WHAT DO YOU PEOPLE WANT????
“pwndw” most people don’t work on Sat so what parking hogs will you find other than the shopping kind. Friday that may happen but hey stop whining
Don’t mean to bitch & moan as this is a great move but guess what, all of that overseas shopping is all but done. Some shopping trips might never have been if some of these incentives to buy Bermuda had been announced much sooner.
Great Incentive but you will NEVER please all the people ALL the time. people will find bad in everything instead of finding good. so you parking hoggers ……………. stay HOME !!!!
Basically, get in, get out.
Then agin, most are there anyway.
Irony.
Why should opening hours be determined by an Act that was put in place 66 years ago and then be looked upon as doing people a favor? Surely it is time to review this to make shopping hours more attractive for locals & visitors.
Free parking but I would think the time restriction would still apply. Just thinking!
The Shopping Laws in Bermuda are well past their sell by date!
Throw these laws out.
Allow shops and businesses to open ANY day of the week.
It would generate jobs and boost the economy too.
It is ridiculous that businesses need permission to open their doors on Sunday!! Talk about government blocking the progress of its economy. Time to do away with these archaic laws!
thanks but no thanks those city hall clampers have turned me off from ever doing anything in town unnecessarily,i will shop out of town and out of the new FBI/CIA way , we never had paid parking before and there was never problems, this money making, cash schemes are ruining us, desparation for money from city hall is a huge turn off for shopping in hamilton..
I hope that all motorists realise that the free parking today from 2-6pm only applies to #1 and #5 car park otherwise there is going to be an lot of disgruntled people when they return their cars and find them clamped!
Seriously??
What is it with these CoH guys – you always have to ask for the fine print. Its this sort of BS that turns me off going into Hamilton and supporting Graeme & Donal’s latest capers.
Shop in Bermuda and save a neighbour’s job!