CHARGES will be scrapped on central Knutsford car parks on three of the busiest shopping days in the run-up to Christmas.

Cheshire East Council-owned car parks on Princess Street, King Street and Silk Mill Street, which are mainly used by shoppers, will be free after 10am on December 6, 13 and 20.

The decision comes after Knutsford-based Forum of Private Business called on councils to waive parking charges for this year’s Small Business Saturday UK event.

As well as showing their support for the event by scrapping fees on December 6, Cheshire East Council has extended the waiver for a further two Saturdays.

Clr David Topping, Cheshire East’s Cabinet member for service commissioning, said: “Scrapping charges on these three days will reduce the cost of Christmas and boost footfall in our town centres.

“We are pleased to be able to support local residents and businesses in this way and to mark Small Business Day.”

Small Business Saturday UK is a campaign which encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.

Forum of Private Business asked almost 40 councils to waiver car park fees with the hope it would provide an added incentive to shoppers to hit the high street on the first shopping weekend in the run up to Christmas.

Phil Orford MBE, chief executive of the Forum of Private Business, said: “It is great to see Cheshire East Council supporting their small firms in this way.

"We want to see as many people as possible in local independent businesses on the 6 December and believe the free parking offers will encourage people to think small and shop locally.

“As the cost of doing business continues to rise it is more important than ever to support our small businesses. Cheshire East along with the other councils that have agreed to offer free parking are an example of the excellent work local authorities can do to support small businesses.”