Buckinghamshire’s high streets are brimming with Christmas cheer, ready and waiting to welcome customers in the lead up to the holiday season. With free parking in towns and villages on select days in December and reduced bus fares, it’s easier than ever to take advantage of local shops and businesses overflowing with gifts and fresh produce to help celebrate the festive season in style.

Shop Local this Christmas, that is the message Buckinghamshire Council is sending to residents who are getting ready for their festive celebrations. Towns and villages across the county have been decorating high streets with lights, trees and decorations, ready to welcome customers onto their pavements and through their doors.

Rachael Matthews, Deputy Cabinet Member for Town Centre Regeneration, said: “The Christmas period is an important time for our local high streets. They rely on the loyalty of local customers to ensure they enjoy a successful festive season, so we want to remind people how important it is to shop local.

“You really don’t need to venture far to get everything you need to enjoy your celebrations and by supporting businesses in your local town or village, you are helping to ensure they can continue to run successfully and add value to your local area which benefits everyone.”

To make it even easier to visit your local high street to do your Christmas shopping, the council is offering free parking in its car parks that support local high streets on Saturday 9 and Saturday 16 December. To check which car parks are included visit the council website:www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/free-xmas-parking.

Or shoppers can let public transport take the strain by doing their Christmas shopping by bus, taking advantage of the extended £2 cap on single journey bus fares, now extended by the Government until next autumn.

Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “Whether you choose to travel by car or by bus, you can save money on your journey before you hit the shops. We know many people need a helping hand this Christmas, so the council is playing its part to give communities and high streets a festive boost.”

Buckinghamshire Council will also introduce a temporary pause on scheduled roadworks in some areas of the county in weeks leading up to the festive break. Steven explained: “To make it easier for people to travel and maximise trade, Buckinghamshire Highways will introduce a widespread postponement of roadworks in and around town and village centres in the run up to Christmas. Although we don’t have the power to stop emergency utility works that need doing, pausing planned roadworks will reduce possible delays.”

Many local businesses in Buckinghamshire are taking part in Small Business Saturday on Saturday 2 December, offering another chance for people to support their local shops and businesses and take advantage of special discounts and promotions. Find out which Bucks businesses are taking part in this year’s event: https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/small-business-finder

One place to take your pick of independent and unique gifts sold by local artisans is the Aylesbury Christmas Craft & Gift Fair, taking place in Market Square, Aylesbury, on Sunday 3 December from 11am to 4pm. There are also lots of other Christmas themed events and fairs taking place across the county over coming weeks. Take a look at the Buckinghamshire Family Information Service website to find out what’s on near you: https://familyinfo.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/things-to-do/things-to-do-this-christmas/