PARKING cuts in Old Town could be extended if the move boosts trade in the run up to Christmas.

Swindon Council’s cabinet agreed on Wednesday to impose a temporary two-hour charge of £1 until January 10 in the Britannia Place, Dammas Lane and Prospect Place car parks.

This would bring the price of a two-hour stay down from £1.40.

Councillors expect the Old Town proposal to cost the authority approximately £10,000 – but Coun Peter Greenhalgh, cabinet member for sustainability, transport and strategic planning, said he is confident the initiative will prove a positive one.

He said: “We need to do what we can to support these businesses – especially considering there has been some concern for a while among traders.

“This is a form of relief and resembles what we have done in the town centre, which has been very well received. If this plan works then it is something we will look at extending.”

The temporary plans, which are to come into force in mid-November, faced a mixed reaction from small business owners, who originally took their complaints to council officers.

Dan Stabbins, owner of Old Town Hardware, Wood Street, said: “I think it’s fantastic – it is the best thing the council has done for traders up here in ages.

“All we are asking for is a level playing field where prices are the same all over Swindon – but we do want it put in permanently.

“This cut helps out because although people don’t mind putting a quid in for a couple of hours, once you go above and beyond that it’s not great for customers or business owners.”

However Steve Brownwell, landlord of The Bell, High Street, said he wants the charges kept at £1 permanently otherwise the problem will simply return.

He said: “There are a lot of businesses that are verging on going under – we want these charges permanent.”

The move follows town centre cuts which temporarily lowered prices in three car parks to £2 for four hours.