Christmas shopping rush.

And to ensure everybody has a chance of a parking space, the two-hour, one visit a day restriction on indoor parking at Number One Shed on Front Street will be extended to the outside parking area as well.

But Corporation of Hamilton secretary Roger Sherratt said both parking areas will be open until 10 p.m. to allow people to take advantage of retailers' late night opening.

And he said parking would be free after the normal 6 p.m. closing time at the car park.

But Mr. Sherratt said: "Anybody who normally parks all day in the outside section on Front Street will have to park in Bull's Head car park or somewhere else.''