Shoppers can soon park free after 4pm in most Deal town centre car parks in a recession-crunching bid to stimulate the economy.

Campaigners critical of rising parking charges have staged public meetings and inundated the Mercury with protest letters, claiming a rise in charges was hitting business.

Package

The free package for drivers was created by a new partnership between Deal and Walmer Chamber of Trade, Deal Town Council and the district council.

Now the three will continue to work together to reduce the impact of recession in the town and to promote the ‘Spirit of Deal’.

Cllr Kit Smith, a district council cabinet member, said: “We are working together for the good of Deal and Walmer, which shows how ideas and opportunities can be joined-up to make a real difference to get us through these difficult times.

“We welcome this wide agreement to reignite the Spirit of Deal.”

The new free parking starts on May 1 for Middle Street, Union Road, Stanhope Road and St George’s car parks.

It is being funded from the national temporary reduction of VAT. For Deal this means that the reduction in hours can be funded through to October in the four car parks.

Arts scene

The new package of support will also promote the town’s arts scene through displays in empty shops, focusing on the centre of Deal.

The business support company The Best of Deal, Dover and Sandwich, and Penny Bearman’s Loose Cannon Arts, are behind the idea.

Mrs Bearman said: “Spirit of Deal is a brilliant opportunity to use the talents of local artists to showcase the attractions of Deal.

“The project will illustrate the many qualities of Deal through the eyes of the artists who live here and it will help regenerate the town centre and enhance the attractiveness of the High Street.”