IT'S just two weeks into the 'free parking on Saturdays' scheme at Saltash and traders are already saying that it is having a good effect on the town centre.

And STIG (Saltash Town Centre Improvement Group), which fought for the scheme, says the town has another reason to feel upbeat. It says unlike other neighbouring towns, and across the county as a whole, with only two empty shops – one of which should be occupied shortly – Saltash has a vacancy rate of just one per cent. The group says it should contend for the unofficial title of 'least empty shops in Cornwall'.

'There are not many towns that can boast that,' said chamber of commerce vice-chairman Peter Ryland. Chairman of STIG, cllr Adam Killeya said: 'Saltash town centre is really booming at the moment.'

Members of STIG and town councillors were manning the parking meters last Saturday as some people were still trying to pay.

Cllr Richard Bickford said: 'People were delighted to be told parking was free and by midday the car park was full and the main street bustling.

'As a council we have invested our Section 106 money from the opening of supermarkets directly into helping the high street and it is working.'

Sue Smith, at the Driftwood Gifts and Art shop, said: 'The free parking is increasing footfall allowing people time to browse instead of dashing back to their cars before their tickets run out.'

Joanne Richards, of Olivia's Lingerie, said: 'It would be nice if parking was free all the time, but this is definitely helping to keep Saltash going.'

In Liskeard, which has many empty shops, the mayor Tony Powell said the town council was in negotiations with Cornwall Council about car park charges.

'The county council will not budge on its income from the car parks and we do not have any 106 money like Saltash, so anything we try and do will have to be paid for by the local taxpayer,' he said.

'We are looking at what it would cost the town to bring back 40p for the first hour in all three main car parks, at Westbourne, Upper Sungirt and the Cattle Market, and it looks to be in the region of £50,000-£60,000 per annum.'