Business people in Elgin have welcomed a move to boost town centre trade by introducing free parking in the late afternoon.
Moray Council has announced that charges will be waived at the town’s Batchen Lane multi-storey car park from 3pm onwards.
The scheme, which is due to begin in the early summer, will run for six months with research to establish if the free parking has significantly improved trade.
Royan’s butchers, at the rear of the car park, was established in the town in 1850.
Butcher William Collie said: “We only really have the Marks and Spencer store to pull people towards our end of the High Street so any idea to improve things is welcome.
“A lot of high street shops have suffered since it was pedestrianised and I appreciate that thought is being given on how to redress that.”
Cadora chip shop manager Maria Cabrelli was optimistic the plan would boost business – but suggested a longer period of free parking would be required to make a significant different to businesses.
She said: “We support any idea to help the centre, but I’m dubious about the free period commencing at 3pm as most shops will close not long after that.”
Marks and Spencer, which also offers free parking from 3pm, Scribbles pizzeria, Bijou gift shop and cafe and Thorntons have all supported the scheme.
Manager of Scribbles, Fiona McLennan, said: “We will have to wait and see, but I’m sure free parking will have a positive effect.”
The decision was made yesterday during a meeting of the council’s economic development and infrastructure services committee after Elgin Business Improvement District (BID) highlighted benefits of similar schemes across Scotland.
Councillor Douglas Ross, of Fochabers and Lhanbryde ward, now hopes to expand the scheme across the town.
He said: “This is an excellent idea but I think it should apply to all car parks.
“I plan to ask all councillors at our next full meeting to support the scheme being extended to all car parks in Elgin.
“This has come about because there are not enough people using the car parks and then shopping in the town, so the biggest difference will be people using a space for free rather than it being left empty.”
Elgin BID’s Gill Neil said: “We would be delighted of we were able to expand this, but we need to see how the trial period helps businesses first.”