FREE car parking will be available in Ipswich on the first Sunday of every month, starting this weekend, as part of a scheme to attract shoppers.

More than 400 spaces at the NCP car park, off Cox Lane and Tacket Street, will be available for nothing in what is one of the major initiatives of the new town centre business improvement district (BID).

Free parking is also being introduced to the park-and-ride sites at Martlesham, Copdock and Bury Road, Ipswich, on the third Sunday each month, beginning on May 20.

Paul Clement, executive director of Ipswich Central, the umbrella organisation behind the BID, said he believes that the offer will benefit both those visiting the town centre and people already using Ipswich regularly. He said: “The aim is to make the town centre more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.

“Free parking on the first Sunday of every month from May will help to entice more people to Ipswich and encourage them to stay longer.

“If the demand is proven, further free spaces will be made available. “In addition, we will shortly be making further announcements about another attractive transport incentive.”

Over the next five years, Ipswich Central will have a significant role in raising standards throughout the town centre. New initiatives will include improved cleaning, better customer safety, crime reduction, additional planting and a new marketing campaign, in conjunction with Suffolk County Council’s suffolkonboard.com In its first month, Ipswich Central has launched a team of prominent street rangers to help with customer service and crime reduction.

It has also pledged to tackle one area a week in need of a thorough clean. Graffiti at Tavern Street has been removed, Lloyds Avenue has been cleaned and the seating area in St Lawrence Lane has been smartened up.