BRADFORD Council has ruled out offering free parking in the run-up to Christmas – arguing there is “no evidence” it would boost trade.

At a meeting of the Council last week, Councillor Sally Birch (Cons, Bingley Rural) asked if Council bosses would agree to the “urgent, immediate suspension of parking charges” in the run-up to the Christmas period.

She argued that such a move would “support local shops".

A response from the Executive gave a definitive 'no'. 

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It added: “Christmas parking concessions were removed in 2016 as part of budget proposals, and no impact to local trading has ever been reported.

“Nor is there any evidence nationally that such initiatives actually increase trade and spend.

“The run-up to Christmas is actually the busiest time of year for retail, and therefore many of the car parks are very busy, if not full, during this time.

“Removing charges therefore wouldn’t support businesses and instead represent a loss of income for the Council at a time we are wanting to use our scarce revenue to pay for regenerating our town centres.”

It said supporting events like Christmas light switch ons was a better way of boosting trade for local businesses.