ONE of the things that has always been important about bringing more people and businesses into town has been parking. Parking, that age old problem of all market towns. Whatever your opinion there is one golden rule, there is never enough - but here in Malton there is good news.

Malton Amenity CIC, who runs the free parking in the Market Place, has enabled another 45 free spaces on a two-hour rotation on the livestock market. These spaces will be open every day of the year apart from the seven sheep sales that take place annually.

Now I have no doubt that we need even more than this, but as an injection into the very centre of Malton, these free spaces are crucial for shoppers and business alike. Lifeblood for the town and just at the top of the Shambles.

Even in last week’s Downton Abbey when the characters visited a fictional Malton, things were looking chock-a-block. I’m delighted to say that fast forward to 2015 and to the real world, there is now more free parking than ever. Thirty-three per cent more, I am reliably told.

There’s never been a better time to "Pop Into Malton", the one stop shop for all your foodie and non-food needs.

Plus, with the opening of several new businesses it feels buzzy in town.

Roost Coffee opened recently in Talbot Yard Food Court, opposite the Talbot Hotel as a stylish contemporary coffee shop with a great story. They are a coffee shop and roastery and are already supplying some of the most high-profile restaurants and hotels in the county. Just visit them to look at their roasting machine - a beautiful silver beast to be sure and the smell of the beans is quite hypnotic.

David and Ruth Elkington are the owners of Roost Coffee and have followed in the footsteps of the already popular Groovy Moo Ice Cream which, by the way, will be open over the winter with new flavours to delight the crowds.

“It’s never too cold for gelato,” says the irrepressible Michelle of Groovy Moo.

New to Talbot Yard Food Court will also be the retail section of Bluebird bakery, which opens shortly serving the best artisan bread and pastries fresh from the ovens. Fresh bread, fresh coffee and fresh ice cream is definitely why we need the extra free car parking spaces.

And just over the road the project I have been working on, Malton Brasserie, has opened its doors where our steak and chips has been the most popular, although our mussels, specials board and Malton brewed beer have been going down a treat too.

Malton Brasserie opened just in time for the Game and Seafood Fest on September 12 and my thanks go to all those who braved the weather on the day to visit the festival. It was a great event and has lots of potential for next year.

Looking ahead, we’ve got the Monthly Food Market on Saturday, which coincides with the Ryedale Book Festival.

Luke Butler, from the Oak Tree Inn, in Helperby, will be cooking a live chef demo, so why don’t you take advantage of the free parking and free entry to the demo and come and enjoy some real literary and foodie treats.

With a massive Christmas food market in December as well, there lots to look forward to - we’ll need even more parking before long.