A business group has failed in its bid to cut free parking on Sundays to offer shoppers an hour extra for free on weekdays.

Under Halstead Chamber of Trade’s plans, shoppers using the 11-space car park behind Sainsbury’s on a Sunday would have to pay 50p for the first hour and £1.20 for three hours.

The first hour would then be free during the week.

No other car parks were included in the proposals.

However, town councillors unanimously refused to allow the plans to go ahead, citing financial concerns.

The chamber’s vice-chairman Michael Portway said the change during the week would allow shoppers during the week to use Halstead, allowing competition for towns such as Braintree and Sudbury.

He vowed to carry on with the chamber’s plans in the hope that they would be granted permission in the future.

See this week's Halstead Gazette for the full story.