Retailers are keeping their fingers crossed that free parking across the town will help boost their Christmas trade.

A decision to stop charging after 2pm was announced when the full council met at Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, last Wednesday.

The scheme will run at all council car parks from Saturday, December 7 until Tuesday, December 24. There will be no charge all day at the sites on December 8, 15 and 22.

Last year the council introduced free parking after 3pm in the run up to Christmas, but this year will start the scheme a week earlier and also to offer it from earlier on in the afternoon.

It’s hoped the move will encourage people to spend their money locally during the festive season. Signs will be placed in the car parks nearer the time.

Street restrictions will continue to be enforced.

Speaking at the meeting, cabinet member for the environment and rural affairs, Cllr David Simmons (Cons), said: “After 2pm is often seen as a quieter period for town centres so we hope this will help boost trading as well as support any special events in preparation for the seasonal period.”

Nick Smith, chairman of the Sittingbourne Retailers’ Association, welcomed the move.

He said: “It’s a good thing. We’ve been pushing for it for the last year or so.

“We can only try these things and hope it will help improve things each time. It’s a good move.”

Labour leader Cllr Mike Haywood said: “We welcome the introduction of limited free parking over Christmas. It’s not before time. We’ve been calling for the council to do this for years.

“The Tories running Swale council are way behind the times. But we’ve got to do much, much more if we are to boost trade in our ailing high streets.

“That’s why we called for a free parking trial period in our town centres in February this year, and why we are still calling for it today.”

n Meanwhile, the High Street has received a blow after being described as “at risk” by a top heritage group. See page 9