BUCKLEY town centre is "suffering badly" and needs more free parking to boost trade, a councillor has said.

The Leader has reported on the efforts of Buckley Town Council to secure a free parking arrangement in the town centre over recent years.

Flintshire Council has now offered the town council 30 minutes of year-round free parking for the 18 spaces, plus four disabled spaces, in the Brunswick Road short stay car park.

But at a special meeting of the town council last week, members asked for more, stating that while the half hour offered was appreciated it did not give shoppers enough time in the town centre to positively impact trade.

The town council has now made an official request to Flintshire Council to consider providing an additional 30 minutes of free parking at the same site - at Buckley Town Council's expense.

Cllr David Ellis, who throughout his year as mayor 2018-19 prioritised the regeneration of the town, told the Leader: "It is definitely going to be helpful for the town, but the consensus was that 30 minutes was not enough. "We're very grateful for the gesture but we felt we needed the opportunity for people to spend more time in the town centre."

Cllr Carol Ellis, who requested the additional half hour during the special meeting, said: "I think it would increase footfall. "With 30 minutes, by the time you park up and take out a pram you'd be clock watching.

"In an ideal world I'd like two free hours but that isn't going to happen. An hour is better than half an hour.

"I would ask [Flintshire Council] to accept the proposal because all town centres are suffering and Buckley is suffering badly.

"Anything we can do to assist the traders and encourage people to shop in the town can only be good for everyone."

Andy White, town centre manager, said: "We're very grateful for the offer, but half an hour might give people time to call into one shop and then leave again.

"If they had a little longer, they might have a coffee, or shop around."

A Flintshire Council spokesman said: "The Deputy Leader and officers of the council met with Buckley Town Council on Monday to discuss car parking in the town and to explore opportunities to regenerate the town centre.

"The meeting was positive and both parties expressed a wish to work together to regenerate the town centre in these difficult times for local traders.

"The council offered to provide some free short stay parking in the town to compensate for the fact that there is limited free on-street parking available in the town, for those shoppers who wish to make short visits to collect shopping etc.

"The town council requested this half hour offer be extended to an hour and offered to fund the cost of this arrangement. This will be considered and if accepted will be in place after the general free parking period in January 2020.

"The council also asked the town council to assist with the development of a wider plan to review traffic movements in the town and this included the possible removal of the existing pedestrianised area.

"This follows the successful bid to remove a similar arrangement in Holywell town centre, which is currently under construction, following financial contributions from the town council, Flintshire Council and Welsh Government.

"The county council and town council will now work closely with all interested parties, particularly the local businesses, to design a scheme for the town which will form a starting point for the regeneration of the area."

Councillor Carolyn Thomas, deputy leader and cabinet member for streetscene and countryside, said: "I was pleased to be asked to attend the meeting with Buckley earlier this week.

"There are clearly some opportunities available, which we need to take, if we are to improve the vitality and sustainability of the town. All parties who represent the town need to work together to help deliver high quality schemes and ensure the future of the town.’’