You can now support small businesses in Dubai by simply parking for free. Parkin, the biggest provider of paid public parking facilities in the city, has introduced the ‘Spots for Shops’ initiative in Dubai.

This unique project allows drivers to validate parking fees via the Parkin app by supporting small businesses in the neighbourhood. The aim is to facilitate interactions between drivers of private vehicles and local businesses such as stores.

How Does the ‘Spots for Shops’ Initiative Work?

Put simply, customers who shop at participating outlets can validate their parking and receive cashback through the Parkin app.

You can park outside an outlet, grab a coffee or a sandwich, or get any electronic device fixed, and you won’t have to pay for the parking space, as Parkin will have it covered.

The direct benefit for customers is that parking becomes free, while shops that typically lose customers due to parking costs gain more visibility.

Examples of participating outlets include Ravi Restaurant, a Pakistani outlet on Al Satwa Road, and Cycle2Cycle, a Filipino-run bike shop in Al Karama.

All you have to do is park in any paid parking space by Parkin near a participating business, pay the parking fee that applies in your zone, and make a purchase of a product or service for the minimum amount required by the shop.

Your parking fee will be validated through the Parkin app using your mobile number, and you’ll get immediate cashback in your Parkin wallet.

Shops participating in the initiative can confirm whether a customer parked within a paid parking zone via Parkin, confirm whether the minimum spend is met, enter the individual’s mobile number registered with the Parkin app, and confirm whether the amount has been credited to their Parkin wallet.

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