Lib Dems Campaign for free parking in Crediton in run-up to Christmas.

4.48.30pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 9th Oct 2009

Crediton High Street

Mid Devon District Council will decide later this month whether to relax car parking charges in Crediton town centre throughout December. The move comes after Crediton councilor Bob Wright (Liberal Democrat) pleaded with the council's executive to give shoppers an incentive to visit High Street shops after the new Tesco superstore opens.

It was reported recently that the retail giant had brought forward the launch date of its superstore, on the outskirts of the town, from February to Monday, December 7. Cllr Wright said local traders had hoped to boost their year-round viability with an injection of Christmas spending - this was now threatened by the new Tesco store. He said allowing free car parking for the first hour at Market Street and first two hours in the High Street during December would encourage shoppers into the town centre.

"Traders in the High Street are feeling the pinch at the moment," said Cllr Wright. "Normally, in the run-up to Christmas, they expect trade to improve but with Tesco opening at the beginning of December, there is likely to be the opposite effect." He is concerned shops are closing in the market town and there might be more to follow suit.

"I feel the traders in Crediton have been let down by the council and it's time for the council to support them," he continued. "A few years ago, the council sold two thirds of the Market Street car park for housing development." He said the council has repeatedly stated its desire to help the business community and regenerate town centers, and the projected underspend in this year's budget could be used to give the consumers, and subsequently traders, some relief.

"There's a parking problem in Crediton and that's more reason for people to go to Tesco when it opens, as parking will be free." Cllr Wright pointed out that in an average month, the Market Street car park generates £3,000 of revenue for the district council, and the High Street generates £4,200 - but the true cost would not be £7,200. "Some people will want to park for longer than one or two hours," he said. "And permit holders have already paid."

High Street traders have warmly welcomed the idea of limited free parking.

Jenni Pitts, of greengrocer, fishmonger and florist Four Seasons, is very concerned about the effect Tesco will have on her business, particularly at Christmas when the extra money usually helps the shop through the next few quiet months. "If you have free parking all day, you have workers filling all the spaces," she said. An hour or two is probably about right. "It would be lovely to have it permanently like that, or at least on Saturdays, but I know the council needs all the money it can get."

David Oliver, of Oliver's Bakery, agreed limited free parking would help. "It sounds an excellent move," he said. "It's good councilors are thinking about the High Street.

A spokesman for Mid Devon District Council said: "We're putting together a report for the next executive meeting on Thursday, October 29. A decision will be made at that meeting."

The executive will also consider similar concessions for Tiverton and Cullompton.