MALTON is celebrating five years of free parking in the town centre.

First introduced in 2009, the two hours of free parking continues to be welcomed by retails and food businesses.

Andrew Walker of The Patisserie, which has recently moved to larger premises on the Saville Street corner of the Market Place, said: “The free parking has definitely been a bonus for Malton.

“For food businesses it is particularly helpful, as it encourages visitors to stay and eat in the town, as well as browse the shops.”

Roddy Bushell, Fitzwilliam Malton Estate’s manager, said he was delighted to be able to find a way for the Estate to work with Malton’s Community Interest Company (CIC), the not-for-profit organisation which organises and funds it, to provide free parking for the town.

“The cost to the CIC is £33,000 a year, but it seems money well spent if it encourages residents and visitors to ‘pop into Malton’ for a couple of hours to enjoy Malton’s eclectic range of shops and businesses.”