THE introduction of free parking in Old Town is unlikely due to the impact it would have on the public purse, council leaders have said.

Local businesses have been campaigning for one or two hours of free parking in the area in an effort to attract shoppers.

A question was put to the cabinet member for transport, Dale Heenan (Con, Covingham and Dorcan), by the Old Town Business Association at a meeting this week.

Submitted before the start of the meeting, Kris Talikowski, owner of juice bar The Core, said: “To enable the area to grow and encourage more shoppers, I would like to suggest that the first hour’s parking is made free in all the car parks that service the Old Town area.

“It is also often pointed out to me that people do not know where to park in Old Town because the signage for the car parks is missing and/or misleading. This is disappointing as a sum of money was recently spent updating the signs in Prospect Place, yet people still don’t know it’s there.”

Coun Heenan agreed to meet the association but said the cost of introducing free parking would hit council coffers.

It is estimated that two hours’ free parking would cost in the region of £244,000 whereas a one-hour period would cost about £64,000.

The cabinet member also pointed out that several years ago steps were taken to reduce parking charges in Old Town. A complimentary tariff was introduced making it 70p for up to an hour and £1 for stays between one and two hours.

“The council is keen to encourage all local entrepreneurs,” said Coun Heenan in his response.

“It is our view that measures introduced in the town centre like £2 for four hours are more effective at encouraging longer shopping time and consequently more money in the shops.

“I have already asked officers to undertake a review of car park pricing and signing across the town, and this includes whether a £2 for four hours-style scheme should be introduced in Old Town.

“The current signing for car parks in Old Town was designed to only give directions at, or close to, the point of entry to each car park. I have asked officers to review this as part of the ongoing wider review of signing and route guidance in Swindon.”

To join the campaign, like the Facebook page called Park for Free in Old Town Campaign.