Business in Newbury - Free Parking Could Boost Local Trade

Thatcham retailers could soon receive a welcome boost if plans to provide two hours of free car parking for shoppers get the green light.

Shoppers can currently reclaim their parking fee from the Kingsland Shopping Centre car park if they spend £10 or more in Waitrose or the Family Bookshop on the Broadway but the local Mayor has told councillors that parking should be free for the first two hours, according to the Newbury Weekly News.

Alex Payton, mayor of Thatcham, said that shoppers should be able to come into the town to spend their money.

"It is good news that this is being taken seriously and that the council is actively looking into it," he told the Newbury Weekly News.

Town councillors have established a working party to determine strategies which will improve the Kingsland Shopping Centre and the mayor hopes that changes to the parking system will be considered alongside other ideas.

Owen Jeffrey, a member of the town council working party, said that he would be "disappointed" if plans were not in place by Christmas.

"I'm reasonably hopeful that West Berkshire Council will be co-operative," he said. "We're putting pressure on them formally and informally and they have to consider it."

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