Mixed welcome for free Sunday parking in north Shropshire towns
Plans to scrap free weekday charges and introduce free Sunday parking in north Shropshire's towns have been given a mixed response by traders and civic leaders.
Shropshire Council is proposing to offer free Sunday and bank holiday stays from December 3 in Whitchurch, Ellesmere and Wem – but at the same time drivers will lose the current hour of free weekday parking.
The first hour of free parking is available Monday to Saturday on all the car parks in Wem and Ellesmere town centres, and selected ones in Whitchurch.
Wem mayor, Councillor Peter Broomhall, said: "I'm quite happy with the free Sunday and bank holiday parking – but it's not going to help our high street, as most shops are closed.
"It might help some people going to church, but I think losing the free hour won't help the shops."
John Murray, a town councillor and trader, said: "Shops in Wem high street aren't open on Sundays, so it's like an invitation to shop at the supermarket without paying to park."
Councillor Peggy Mullock, mayor of Whitchurch, said she did not believe the loss of one hour's free parking on selected Shirehall-owned car parks would harm businesses as many shoppers took advantage of free spaces at supermarkets.
She added: "I will be pleased to have free parking on a Sunday. Rationalising charges will help make things much clearer."
Councillor Alan Clarke, mayor of Ellesmere, said: "In Ellesmere the town centre is doing well, so I don't feel we'll be disadvantaged by losing an hour, considering it's only going to be 10p for up to two hours."
The current maximum £1.80 all day charge would remain unchanged.
