STONE traders have joined forces to call for more free parking in the town to make it more welcoming for shoppers.
More than 35 businesses have backed a petition for free parking on at least a few days a week in a bid to encourage shoppers to swap out-of-town retail parks for the town centre.
Helen Quinton, franchisee of the High Street’s Francesco salon, organised the petition and said she had seen a drop in footfall in recent years. Customers had shown their support for free town centre parking as well as traders, she added.
“Out-of-town shopping has free parking but you have to pay a penance for coming into the High Street to shop,” she said.
“Any free parking would be better than nothing. It can create a friendly atmosphere in a town, especially a market town like Stone.” At last week’s Stone Town Council meeting Councillor Joyce Farnham presented the traders’ petition to fellow councillors.
But while some supported the free parking proposal others raised concern that it could be abused by town centre workers parking their vehicles all day.
The council voted to back a proposal for free parking on one or two days a week. It was also suggested after the meeting that free parking could be offered during afternoons to discourage all-day parking by town workers.
The plan must now be put to Stafford Borough Council, which operates the town’s pay and display car parks at Crown Street, Christchurch Way and Westbridge Park.
Stone Town Council currently offers free parking at car parks at Crown Wharf and Northesk Street and there is also free on-street parking available for limited periods in some areas including Station Road and Margaret Street.
