Community leaders are calling for free parking in Whitehaven town centre to help support shops when they re-open.

Non-essential shops across the country have been shut since the third lockdown started in January but should be able to open again on April 12 as restrictions are eased.

At a recent Whitehaven Town Council meeting, deputy mayor, Julie Rayson, put the suggestion to Jenny Brumby, Copeland Council's Buy Local scheme organiser, who said it was something she was pushing for.

Coun Rayson would like to see both Copeland Council and the Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners offer their car parks free of charge.

She said: “It was really successful when parking was free over Christmas to encourage people back into town. Times are hard for businesses.

“I do understand they have got to meet budgets as well. If everybody could work together to get businesses back up and running again. Even short stay parking."

The deputy mayor believes people will support the shops when they re-open.

She said: “People are itching to get back shopping. I think there will be people going into the town.

"We need to make sure we look after the shops that are still there. There are a lot of empty shops in town.

“ It’s just a case of working collaboratively to see what we can do.”

Town councillor Graham Roberts said free parking "would definitely make a difference".

"We have got to do something to entice people back into the town. I think everybody is struggling at the moment. We have got to do something and fast."

Mayor of Whitehaven, Brian O’Kane said: “I think it’s under consideration. It’s a positive move to help people come into town when the shops re-open.”

John Baker, CEO of the Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners said: "It's a tricky thing for us because all our revenue from the car parks goes back into the harbour infrastructure, for the benefit of the town's people and visitors. We are open to the discussion."

Mr Baker added that they had seen "minimal revenue" during the pandemic due to the Rum Story being closed and a decrease in the use of its car parks.

A spokesman for Copeland Council said: “We have not been formally approached by Whitehaven Town Council regarding this suggestion. However, we have frozen parking charges until April 2022.”