Free parking is being offered in Falmouth's council car parks on Saturdays to offset potential loss of trade from electrical works.

Traders are concerned that business will take a hit due to the reduced footfall whilst roadworks are ongoing, and the town council has funded the free parking in order to support businesses by attracting shoppers into town.

Falmouth's town manager Richard Gates said: “The free parking is to support the businesses and the local community while the next phase of the electrical works are taking place within the town.

"It is funded by Falmouth Town Council and Falmouth BID, and is applicable in all Falmouth Cornwall Council-owned car parks.

"This will run from Saturday January 11 to Saturday March 21 and further details on the electrical works can be found via this link falmouth.co.uk/western-power-works/.”

Western Power Distribution have been working to upgrade 70-year-old cabling in the town centre since January 2018.

They have said that work is scheduled to minimise disruption, and that the project is due to be finished ahead of schedule later this year.

Rebecca Heane, who owns Cream Cornwall on Church Street, says she has suffered losses in previous phases of the roadworks.

She said: "Unfortunately one day's free parking doesn't make up for six other days when the council continues to charge ridiculous amounts to come and park in a town which is in chaos.

"We tried, as did other traders, to get a rebate on our rates for loss of income but nothing, they didn't want to know. It really is unbelievable.

"We have some great independents in Falmouth, but people are not going to visit towns unless they have something to offer and with the amount of shops closing in Falmouth, we are fast losing our status as a town to visit.

"So many people we speak to are shopping online as they are sick of paying for parking, I despair!"

Participating car parks are Gyllyngvase, Quarry, Grove Place (Tesco), The Moor, Well Lane and Church Street.

Private car parks will operate as normal.