Free parking call to aid Market Drayton trade
A petition has been launched calling for free car parking to be introduced in Market Drayton to support local businesses.
Marta Power, of Hair by Marta, has launched the online petition because she believes the move would attract more customers to the town.
Currently visitors have to pay to use the town's Frogmore Road, Towers Lawn and Queen Street car parks.
Ms Power, whose petition has already been signed by more than 300 people, said: "I decided to create this petition to help Market Drayton local businesses and customers.
"Market Drayton is a lovely little town and I don't think it's fair that we have to pay for parking while other towns like Newport have free parking. We all have seen a lot of local shops closing recently and I think free parking could boost the amount of visitors and customers.
"The limit right now is three hours and it costs £1.20. It's not a big cost but changing it to free parking would attract more customers. For example, I'm a hair salon owner. Sometimes to do colour for my clients takes longer than three hours. This client will have nowhere near to park as parking is allowed only for three hours.
"Yes, £1.20 isn't much but it will put potential customers off from coming and visiting our beautiful town."
She added that she will contact Shropshire Council and North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson about the issue if the petition generates a lot of online signatures.
Commenting on the online petition, Market Drayton resident Pearl Clarke said: "I am signing because I am disabled. I have, on many occasions, not shopped in town because I had not got the money or the speed to get shopping done on time, so I do not need the stress."
Lisa Hingley, of Ashley, near Market Drayton, said: "As a local resident and business owner I think we need to encourage as many people as possible to the town and free parking would be a positive start."
Discussions are currently under way about the town council taking over the running of the library, markets and car parks from Shropshire Council.
The unitary authority is looking to transfer some of its assets to town councils and other organisations as part of its bid to save more than £70 million in the next five years.
