CAR park charges have been suspended across Canvey, Benfleet and Hadleigh.

Castle Point Council has taken the decision to halt fees at every council-run car park in the borough in a bid to boost local trade in the run-up to Christmas.

The authority is determined to do its bit to keep cash registers ringing for businesses in the final week of Christmas shopping, making parking free in eight car parks, including four on Canvey.

The move came in a bid to boost trade in the high street despite shopping trends pushing buyers online - and to out of town shopping centres.

In Canvey, Labworth Car Park, on Western Esplanade, Lubbins Car Park, on Eastern Esplanade, Oak Road Car Park, on Oak Road, and Thorney Bay Car Park, on Thorney Bay Road, will all remain free until Boxing Day.

Paul Newman, owner of Canvey Paradise Jewellery on Furtherwick Road praised the scheme, hoping it could lead to permanently free car parks. He said: “It is nice to hear, really nice in fact.

“I wasn’t aware that they had made these changes, but I think it is a great idea, especially over the festive period.

“We did have the Oak Road car park free a long time ago, and I do think there was a negative effect once it changed.

“That Oak Road car park became desolate once they made it paid for, it is a shame it is a little too late.

“The truth of the matter is, there is not enough of a footfall here, we have plenty of people but no footfall, so maybe some free parking will help that.

“Hopefully it is a success over Christmas and really help the town centre, and the council introduce the schemes full-time.”

Linda Howell, 56, of Long Road, Canvey, said: “It is great to see the council doing a little bit to help out businesses.

“This should be one of the most prosperous times of the year for businesses, but as the council have pointed out, no one seems to use high streets anymore, so hopefully this will help. I would be encouraged to use the town centre more if there were no charges whatsoever, but that’s unlikely.

“Hopefully it can give a few businesses a little boost.”

Leader of Castle Point Council, Colin Riley said “Our High Streets face a battle with the out of town shopping centres for the Christmas trade so we are delighted to help them attract customers by suspending charges in our car parks.

“We are lucky to have such a varied range of shops and businesses within our borough and I would urge residents to make an effort to shop local for their Christmas gifts and services.”

Car parking charges are suspended between December 16 and 26 in all Castle Point Council car parks - with exception of Benfleet Station.