TWO days of free festive parking in North Dorset’s market towns have met with a mixed reaction from the district’s traders.

Commerce chiefs in Shaftesbury have condemned the two-day suspension as disappointing, while traders’ leaders in Blandford have welcomed the news as a boost for seasonal trade.

Charges will be suspended in all off-street car parks run by North Dorset District Council on December 12 and 19 in Blandford, Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Stalbridge, and Sturminster Newton.

Richard Thomas, a spokesman for the Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce, said the two-day suspension was substantially less than the two weeks requested by the chamber, town council, and tourism association.

“We are disappointed by the decision.

“It doesn’t give the impression that the district council is trying to support the towns that it should be supporting, particularly in these recessionary times,” said Mr Thomas.

Traders in market towns faced a tough battle to retain customers in the face of discounted prices from stores in larger conurbations, he added.

Shaftesbury’s shops had experienced a mixed year, he said, with three new businesses, including a florist, furnishers, and interior décor shop due to open next week.

But Berenice Deakin, the car park services officer at North Dorset District Council, said the gesture had been made in good faith and would cost the council about £4,000.

“We feel that we are being fair to our public, but the council needs funds to pay for services. We are trying to keep council tax down by bringing in revenue,” she said.

“There are councils who have suspended charges for longer, but there are also those who have not suspended them at all.”.

Trina Horrocks, the chair of the Blandford Chamber of Trade, welcomed the initiative, adding that a strong trading period in December was important to traders in the Georgian town.

“It’s really good news. It’s nice to see that the council is working with the traders, and helping people to shop locally,” she said.

Traders had experienced a mixed year, with the addition to the town of Morrisons and Iceland and new toilets increasing footfall.