CALLS have been made for the people of Wrexham to support a proposed free parking scheme aimed at providing a boost for town centre businesses.

Wrexham Council announced earlier this week that it was planning to offer free parking after 2pm in most car parks owned by the local authority.

If approved by senior councillors, the incentive would be available seven days a week for a 12 month trial period starting in April.

Council leader Mark Pritchard said the goal was to increase the number of visitors and improve the local economy.

He is now asking residents to show their support by by getting behind the plans.

The independent councillor said: “I speak to a lot of people in Wrexham from large businesses to small independent traders.

“It’s important that we try to support and help them as much as we can in these difficult times.

“We all know that Wrexham as a town has problems in the business world because some businesses unfortunately don’t survive.

“What we’ve tried to do as politicians is support Wrexham town and give incentives and we’re announcing free parking from 2pm and that’s seven days a week.

“I think if we encourage even a small percentage of people to come into the town then it’s been a success.

“I hope that the people of Wrexham get behind the town, some of them change their shopping habits and come in after 2pm.”

Executive board members will meet to discuss the proposals on Tuesday, which would apply at the council’s car parks at Waterworld, Wrexham Library, St George’s Crescent, Crescent Road, St Giles, Market Street.

The only facility not included is the one above the Tŷ Pawb arts centre.

The move has already been welcomed by some business owners, including members of the Wrexham Town Centre Forum.

It comes after they previously launched a petition asking the authority to consider trialling a ‘free after 3pm’ scheme.

The forum’s vice-chair Andy Gallanders, who runs the Bank Street Social cafe, said: “We are pleased by the willingness of the council to listen and urge that the executive committee adopt this report.

“This is good for local businesses, good for the local economy and good for local jobs.”

Forum chair Wayne Price, who runs AMP Accounting, added: “This is an excellent step in the right direction and Wrexham’s local businesses welcome this proposal.

“We thank them for looking at this and we relish promoting this incentive with the help of the council.”