Parking should be free in Shrewsbury after 4pm every day of the week and for the first two hours on Saturdays, it was claimed today.

A plea was issued Shropshire Council to introduce the changes.

David Farmer, president-elect for the National Association of British Market Authorities, claimed the move would help to revitalise the town and give it a boost.

Mr Farmer, who is also a borough councillor for the Bagley ward, has issued the call to Shropshire Council to introduce the changes.

He said he had visited other towns where similar initiatives had been introduced. “I am calling on the new Shropshire Council to make parking free for the first two hours on a Saturday morning and from 4pm each day here in Shrewsbury,” he said.

“Other towns have started to offer more free parking to revitalise their town so why can’t our council offer a deal to the public and boost the local economy?”

Simon Airey, chairman of Shrewsbury Business Chamber, said: “It could be a wonderful gesture for the incoming authority to introduce some incentives, particularly during the present economic climate.

“The business chamber would fully endorse Councillor Farmer’s suggestion and would be very much behind that.”

Phil Crossland, Shropshire Council’s assistant director for transport and highways, said there were no plans to amend any off-street car parking restrictions or charges but confirmed a review would be carried out to develop a comprehensive parking strategy for the county.