Retailers in Bradford need every little bit of support they can get at the moment, and there is no doubt that allowing free parking in the city centre would be a massive boost.

So the Council needs to think very, very carefully before dismissing the idea of a 20-minute free parking allowance.

A report before councillors talks of the difficulties of policing such a scheme.

And it recommends not rejecting it this year, but monitoring the use of pay and display areas and reviewing them annually.

This would represent a real missed opportunity to give a shot in the arm to the ailing retail trade in the city centre – and to show the Council has the intent to go with the strong words we have heard about supporting retailers.

While it is still looking at how best to spend the Regional Generation Fund cash which is on the way, here is the chance to give an immediate boost to businesses that are in some cases fighting to survive.

Too many shops have been lost in the city centre already.

The Council says it will cost £90,000 to allow the 20-minutes free parking proposal.

But other changes to on-street parking charges and extensions to the areas it applies to is already set to make the Council an extra £250,000 a year.

Many would say even the 20-minute allowance is not enough, and the Council should look again at the original idea of an hour.

Failing to even allow this small concession would send out completely the wrong signal to our beleaguered city centre traders.