A TRADERS’ leader has said it would be ‘useful’ to reduce charges at council-owned car parks in Burnley over the festive period.

Burnley Council yesterday confirmed charges will remain the same at all of its car parks in the town centre in the run-up to Christmas.

Parking is free, however, on Sundays and after 6pm during the week.

Parking is already free in Hyndburn, Rossendale and Darwen.

And in Pendle, motorists with discs can park for free on short-stay and long-stay car parks.

In the Ribble Valley, free parking will be on offer at all council-operated car parks in Clitheroe town centre and Barclay Road Car Park, Longridge.

The action is being taken in a bid to attract more shoppers to the borough.

Brian Hobbs, president of Burnley’s Chamber of Trade, said it could be worth employing a similar tactic in his borough.

He said: “I’m kind of in two minds really. I have this underlying view that Burnley is worth coming to and because of that, people will pay to park.

"I can’t imagine people will disappear to Nelson, Accrington or Clitheroe to do shopping they would otherwise do in Burnley because it would probably cost them more.

“However, that only applies to local people. Whether or not concessionary rates would attract people from other areas, I don’t know.

"I think it could be worth a try and be quite useful.”