CHARGES at Northallerton’s Applegarth short stay car park will be cut – in a bid to help improve the town’s economy.

Under plans before members of Hambleton District Council’s cabinet next month charges in the 148 short-stay spaces at the front of the Applegarth car park will be reduced.

The first hour – which currently costs 60p – will be free for all users. The second hour will be 60p.

The council’s deputy leader, Cllr Peter Wilkinson, said: “We have been listening to the concerns of both businesses, local people and visitors to Northallerton about the cost of car parking in the town.

“There have been more complaints since North Yorkshire County Council introduced charges on the High Street and the suggested loss of trade as a result of this.

“We have decided to act to help redress this situation and hope that this – coupled with free parking Thursdays throughout December in Hambleton District Council’s car parks in the run up to Christmas – will help boost the economy of the town.”

If approved by cabinet on September 2 the proposal will undergo a statutory 28 day consultation period before being brought into operation in October.