Traders in Moray’s biggest town have given a mixed reaction to a free parking trial launched a week ago.
Tariffs are being waived at the two multi-storeys in Elgin after 3pm every day.
The six-month experiment at the Batchen Lane and St Giles Centre car parks is aimed at luring more shoppers to the town’s High Street.
It was approved by Moray Council in April, amid calls from Conservative member Douglas Ross for parking to be free at all the local authority’s car parks in Elgin.
David Robertson’s Bijou store is in Batchen Street.
He said: “It’s definitely been busier for us right through until past 4pm.
“I was one of the main guys pushing for this, but I agreed with Douglas Ross, it should have been every car park in Elgin.
“I’m delighted we are trying something different. It’s really to try and create a late afternoon and evening culture.
“Now it’s up to the shops to get people in.”
David Cairns, of Baggs of Elgin in the St Giles Shopping Centre, said: “If anything, my takings are probably down, but I think it’s probably connected with the fact the college is off and there aren’t as many students around.
“It might be early days, and I am hoping that Saturdays will return as a strong performing day of the week. If it makes a difference to a Saturday, to me, it’s worthwhile.”
Dorothy Jack, owner of Dorothy Jacks Ladieswear in High Street, said: “At 3pm, all my clientele have done their jobs and they are away to make the tea at home. It should be completely free everywhere in the town if you ask me.
“What a difference that would make to the High Street.”
Councillor Ross, who championed the scheme, said: “I’m not surprised the reaction has been mixed so far because one of the difficulties with the scheme is it’s only a few car parks in Elgin.
“I made it clear that it should be free after 3pm everywhere, which would be a positive step for the future.
“But the car parks do take in £500,000 a year for the council, and when you consider we have £50million to save, it will be difficult to see free parking extended throughout the town on a permanent basis.”
A ground-level car park off Alexandra Road has also been made free to use after 3pm by its owner, Marks & Spencer.
Drivers arriving after 3pm can use the pay and display machine as normal, but without entering any cash to get a ticket.