Shoppers in central Blenheim have been making the most of Free Parking Friday, having "a big ol' wander" on the new-look Market St.
Marlborough District Council celebrated stage two of the revamp with a one-off free parking day, the stretch of Market St between High St and Alfred St having reopened to vehicle access on October 13.
With no time limits to worry about, Ross Alexander of Reefton was walking down Market St at a leisurely pace on Friday morning, holding a Hallensteins bag.
Free parking meant he could "have a big ol' wander, buying a bunch of [stuff]", he said.
Alexander had spent the past few days shopping while visiting his Blenheim-based girlfriend.
People spending longer in town could only be a good thing for businesses and the local economy, he said.
"The longer I stay in town, the more I'm paying.
"If it was paid [parking], there would be like a ticking clock in my head.
"If the free Friday thing was regular, people would know when it happens ... you're going to have more revenue for Blenheim in general."
The free parking was particularly welcome after Alexander copped a $70 fine on Thursday for leaving his vehicle for 21 minutes on George St without logging his number plate at the meter.
"I just wanted to give my girlfriend flowers, and I didn't know that it was a paid parking street, and I was at the very end where no-one was parked," Alexander said.
Free parking proved a hit with Blenheim residents too.
Conny van der Geest said not having to worry about getting ticketed meant she too could stay in town for longer.
Free parking would bring people back into town to support local businesses, she said.
"I think it'd be great if there was just a bit more people coming in, there's a lot of empty shops and that's so sad."
Picton resident Ellen Bailey came into central Blenheim once a fortnight with her Blenheim-based mother. She, too, was enjoying taking her time on Friday.
Bailey said she and her mother usually spent a couple of hours visiting Blenheim's library.
"[I'm] really enjoying Blenheim at the moment, actually, really, really thrilled to see all this coming [together]," she said.
