As people get used to the new-style pound coin, residents are reminded that they can park for three hours for just £1 in Great Yarmouth town centre – if they take advantage of two special discounts.

All residents of the borough are entitled to order from Great Yarmouth Borough Council a Resident Advantage Card, which gives a third hour completely free to residents who pay to park for two hours in any town centre car park, including Palmers (Howard Street) car park.

This free hour runs alongside other parking incentives available, including Great Yarmouth Town Centre Partnership's First Hour Free initiative.

First Hour Free allows anyone who uses the borough council's town centre car parks and spends £10 or more in one transaction at participating retailers to get the equivalent cost of one hour's parking discounted off their purchase.

Cllr Barry Coleman, chairman of the economic development committee, said: 'Three hours' town centre parking for just £1 is hugely competitive for a town of Great Yarmouth's size. Every resident of the borough can get this special rate, providing they get a Resident Advantage Card and spend a tenner in a participating shop. The car parking savings quickly cover the cost of ordering the card, which is valid for life.'

The special discounts from the borough council and businesses aim to boost footfall and trade in Great Yarmouth town centre, which is a top public priority. A wide range of national retailers and local independent shops are involved in the First Hour Free incentive.

Jonathan Newman, of the Town Centre Partnership, said the First Hour Free discount is wholly funded by the participating shops. 'This initiative was originally conceived by the retailers themselves to encourage and reward shoppers using town centre car parks,' he said.

Palmers were one of those original retailers involved in the scheme and has seen a 43 per cent increase in use of the vouchers since removing the £10 minimum spend requirement at the store in April.

David Howard, managing director at Palmers, said: 'We are seeing a lot of vouchers being used in our restaurant and coffee room as customers can currently use them without having to spend £10.'

Palmers will continue to offer the First Hour Free discount on any transaction in Palmers, without a minimum spend, until the end of June.

Resident Advantage Cards can be ordered online at www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk for a one-off fee of £2.50, which is solely to cover the costs of producing and posting out the cards. Cardholders are entitled to a growing range of discounts. Local businesses interested in offering a discount through the card should contact Marion.Newrick@great-yarmouth.gov.uk For more information about the First Hour Free initiative, including the list of participating retailers, visit www.gytcp.co.uk/first-hour-free.html