The City of St. Catharines has announced some initiatives to aid local businesses during the pandemic.
These measures include the return of free parking to City lots and spaces, as well as the extension of the temporary outdoor patio program.
Council approved both initiatives last night.
In order to attract more business to the downtown area, parking will be free in all City lots, garages and on-street spaces until the end of April.
The City says that while parking will be free, parking restrictions relating to safety, fire routes, loading zones and curbside pickup will remain in effect.
In addition, the City's temporary outdoor patio program will continue until the end of the year.
This will allow local restaurant and bar owners to offset limits on indoor dining by expanding outdoor business areas.
Director of Economic Development Brian York says that the pandemic has been hard on local businesses.
"The impacts of the pandemic have been particularly hard on our local small businesses that play such an important role in the functioning of a robust local economy, delivering jobs, and helping to maintain our city as the vibrant destination it has become. The hospitality sector especially has seen severe impacts which the City is working to offset through the means it has available."
To find out more about the City's pandemic recovery plan, click here.
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