TRADERS have launched their own free parking scheme in an attempt to encourage people to shop in Bicester town centre.

The move comes amid fears that Bicester and Banbury are being left behind as other Oxfordshire councils offer free parking in council-run car parks.

Witney already offers free parking and, from tomorrow, Vale of the White Horse District Council will offer two hours free parking in Abingdon, Wantage, and Faringdon, despite a £250,000 loss to the council.

In Didcot motorists can park for free at the Orchard Centre.

In Oxford, opposition councillor John Goddard is calling for free parking at the Westgate car park for two evenings a week in the run-up to Christmas, along with Summertown and Headington.

So far Cherwell District Council has refused to budge. It said parking fee income was essential to protect its frontline services.

Parking across council run car parks in Bicester and Banbury brought in almost £2m in 2010/2011.

Now a handful of Bicester traders have agreed to refund shoppers an hour’s parking, currently 60p, until December 31. The scheme will then be reviewed.

Steven Waddup, owner of Furniture Secrets, one of the traders in the Crown Walk Emporium, came up with the idea after people complained to him about parking charges.

He said: “We didn’t think Cherwell would drop charges during the Christmas period, so we figured we would pay the charges.

“I think people would be happy to stay and shop in Bicester town centre if parking was free. This was confirmed when I asked 130 people ‘would you use the town if parking was free’ and 120 said yes .Ten said no, of which seven didn’t live here.

“This made me more determined to press on.”

Ben Jackson, chairman of Bicester and District Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber had continually pressed Cherwell to offer parking concessions at Christmas, but without success.

He said: “This is a super initiative by the traders and I hope the town’s residents will respond positively.”

Those taking part in the scheme have a sticker on their shop window.

Initially the scheme will rely on people’s honesty to claim the parking fee back or they can produce a ticket to get a refund.

Leader of the opposition Les Sibley, who led a successful campaign forcing a U-turn after parking fees were increased earlier this year, said: “Cherwell could do a lot more to help traders.

“If we want to create a level playing field with other towns and out of town shopping centres, we have got to offer free parking in town centres.”