Business leaders in Helensburgh have welcomed plans to suspend off-street parking charges in the run-up to Christmas.
Argyll and Bute councillors will be recommended tomorrow to lift charges across the whole area from December 11 to 24.
And Helensburgh and Lomond Chamber of Commerce has backed the move, hailing the benefits it is set to bring to local businesses.
Oban Business Improvement District and Helensburgh Community Council had previously contacted the council suggesting that charges should be suspended.
The council is estimated to be taking a hit of around £20,000 in order to facilitate the planned move, but executive director Kirsty Flanagan said that it would benefit the local economy.
Vivien Dance, chief executive of the chamber, said: “Well done to Oban BIDS and Helensburgh Community Council for their clear thinking and proactive approach in respect of practical steps that should be taken to support their respective town centres and encourage footfall over the festive period.
“This will be extremely welcome by all businesses and a proposal which I would expect to be passed unanimously.”
In the community council’s initial submission in October, convener Norman Muir said discussions had taken place on how to make town centre shopping attractive to the public in the build-up to Christmas.
He added: “We are fortunate in having a number of retailers within the community council and were able to lean heavily on their retail experience in the town.
“The severe curtailment of parking within the town centre due to the construction of the leisure centre has impacted on the retail footfall and is a constant source of annoyance among residents.
“This tends to be exacerbated by the increase in shopping activity in the run-up to Christmas.
“A consensus developed that a suspension of parking fees in all the car parks in Helensburgh from December 14-24 would be a significant boost to the morale of people in the area and reflect very positively on Argyll and Bute management.”
In a report to go before the council Ms Flanagan said: “This year, more than ever, with the ongoing pandemic situation, it is hoped that the suspension of car parking charges will encourage residents to remain within Argyll and Bute and shop local.
“The estimated loss in car parking revenue for the two week period is estimated to be approximately £20,000 however, it is considered that the suspension of charges is considered to provide an overall benefit to the local economy.”
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