The meeting at the town hall was intended as an opportunity to discuss ways of promoting Ripon for visitors. However, the gathering, which also included representatives of Booths Supermarket, quickly became dominated by the lack of parking in Ripon.

Business owners and traders made it clear a lack of parking was one of the main barriers to trade and demands were made to waive parking fees one day each week in what was described as a 'Free Friday.'

The demand was due to be put to Harrogate Borough Council yesterday by North Yorkshire County Councillor Bernard Bateman, who chaired the original meeting.

He said: "The free parking could be on Monday Tuesday Wednesday or Friday because that's when there's plenty of spaces available."

"We are going to be pushing for car parking on the Spa park which would give us spaces and would help traders n the west side of town.

"We are also going to be pushing for a 'Free Friday' and to see how that would work."

committee

Coun Bateman also revealed a committee of Ripon Traders was to be formed to work on a campaign with the aim of 'lifting the business community.'

"We have about £4,000 to £5,000 which gives us a chance to promote the city," he said.

Another idea to come out of the meeting was to move the coach park in the city centre to Rotary Way, which Coun Bateman says would free up another 60 spaces for cars.

Alan Matthews of Alan Matthews Watercolours in Kirkgate was one of the traders who attended the meeting and is in favour of the Free Friday idea.

He said: "Promote one a day a week when it's quiet like Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday.

"We have a sign welcoming people to Ripon inviting them to 'stay awhile amidst its ancient charms' but you can only stay for two hours."

no spaces

Mr Matthews says customers to his shop are often unable to find spaces in the main car park which has a four hour limit and are forced into a two hour limit spot, giving them little time to spend in the city.

"Maybe if the first two hours parking were free it would encourage people to come on less busy days.

"If people stay for just two hours it doesn't give them much time to do any of the things Ripon has to offer.

"I know it would need financing somehow and Harrogate Borough Council would lose money but some of the money being offered to Ripon from private business to promote the city could go towards that."