Croydon is planning an hour of free parking in its district centres in its district centres to boost small businesses.
The move, replacing the existing 30 minutes available at park and display bays, goes before the council’s traffic management advisory committee.
Due to be rolled out in spring and summer 2017 along with the roll-out of new parking schemes, the centres to benefit are Thornton Heath, South Northwood, Addiscombe, Cherry Orchard Road, South Croydon, New Addington, Purley and Coulsdon.
Cllr Mark Watson, cabinet member for economy and jobs, said: “I have listened to small businesses and traders and the issue of one hour free parking was their number one concern.
“This is one way the council can make a real difference to trade. By making the first hour of parking free in our district centres, we are making it easier for people to pop to their local shops and encouraging them to do so.
“As our town centre undergoes its £5.2bn regeneration and once again becomes a major shopping destination for the south-east, Croydon’s district centres will become ever more important in providing people with a local option and we will do everything we can to facilitate this.”
Ken Burgess, Chair of the Central Parade Business District Partnership and owner of Burgess Boys Pet Care Centre, said: “This is excellent – tremendous news as far as the small shops are concerned. It’s good for the customers and good for the shop-keepers – it’s a win-win.”