FREE Christmas parking could give a much- needed boost to Alton's winter traders after district council officers proposed an innovative pilot scheme. The scheme - which looked set to be rubber- stamped by the council's cabinet on Wednesday - comes after a plea from Alton Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The chamber wrote to East Hampshire District Council, urging it to offer some free parking in a bid to encourage more shoppers to spend their cash in the town. Council officers have now drawn up plans for free parking between 2 pm and 6 pm on December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 19. A similar scheme is proposed for shoppers in Petersfield. It would cost £15,530 after an advertising campaign, loss of income from parking tickets and a shoppers' survey which would be carried out before and during the experiment. In a report to cabinet members, Alison Wood, head of planning policy at the council, said: "The purpose of the scheme is to attract more shoppers to Alton and Petersfield. "It will need to be well advertised, both locally and across the wider catchment area. The district council will place advertisements and assist with a publicity campaign. The local retailers should also do all they can to attract more shoppers to Alton and Petersfield." Mrs Wood met with commerce representatives before drawing up the plans. It was decided all-day free parking would not be recommended as it would "enable commuters and workers to park all day for nothing". The report suggested that, if the pilot got the go ahead, a survey should be undertaken to gauge its popularity.
