BUSINESSES and shopowners have called for free parking to be introduced immediately in Basildon as the Christmas rush begins.

They voiced their concerns that they would lose valuable trade to competition where free parking is being offered and would be left behind in the run up to the festive period.

Basildon is only offering free parking on specific days over Christmas - at the Basildon Centre upper car park on December 22, 23, 25, 26, 29, 30 and January 1.

This car park is the only one owned by Basildon Council in Basildon with Town and City Parking owning the Eastgate car park.

The Echo reported on Monday that free parking is being brought in at Wickford car parks, two behind Somerfield and one at Wickford swimming pool, in Market Road, one behind Iceland in Billericay High Street, and the Radford Crescent car park, also in Billericay.

Mohamad Vahora, who runs Looks clothes shops, in East Walk, Basildon, and the Victoria shopping centre, Southend, said: “It would be very helpful for everyone. There are a lot of people coming into Basildon to do their shopping so why not give them an extra incentive by offering free parking. People are buying now so let’s make it free now. You see free parking at places like Lakeside and you wonder why on earth people would come here. Things have to be made easy for people in this day and age so it would be wonderful to work together to make something happen.”

Lakeside Shopping Centre has free parking every day and has extended its opening hours over the Christmas period. It is open between 9pm and 7pm on Boxing Day.

Trevor Moore is the manager of The Christmas Shop, in East Walk. The shop is open for two months in the run up to Christmas and Mr Moore said he would strongly support a campaign to bring free parking to Basildon before they closed on Christmas Eve.

“To be honest it should be free. You have such big competition from surrounding areas and when they are offering free parking it will tilt the balance in their favour. Customers will still come to Basildon in my opinion as it offers more than Billericay and Wickford but a freebie always helps.”

Councillor Pat Rackley, of St Martin’s ward, said: “Free parking would be great in Basildon. I am amazed at how few people are doing their Christmas Shopping in the town square. It is absolutely dead at the moment and maybe parking would be a solution.”