COUNCILLORS have backed a report looking at ways to revive Bolton Town Centre — including more free parking schemes.

In a motion put forward by Cllr John Walsh, cabinet members agreed to look further at free parking schemes brought in by other councils, such as limited free parking for 20 to 30 minutes.

Cllr Walsh said: “This council believes such schemes are worthy of consideration and requests the executive member to consider a report on the introduction of similar schemes in Bolton all year round and not just for Christmas.”

This year, Bolton Council has funded free parking at four town centre car parks after 3pm on weekdays and all weekend throughout December in a bid to encourage Christmas shoppers to come into the town.

Cllr Nick Peel echoed the Christmas sentiment and said: “When you look at our free Christmas parking scheme, it will be very important to evaluate the success of that and how it improved the turnover of shoppers in Bolton.

“That is what retailers really want to know.”

To evaluate the success of other schemes used by different authorities, Bolton Council plan to use a “policy development group system”.

This means members of the cabinet across all parties would look at a new policies to develop and improve the town centre.