TRADERS in Crouch End have given the thumbs up to a scheme designed to offer free parking to shoppers in the run up to Christmas. The system, conjured up by Haringey Council and traders group the Crouch End Project, has seen shoppers in the Br

Tan Parsons

TRADERS in Crouch End have given the thumbs up to a scheme designed to offer free parking to shoppers in the run up to Christmas.

The system, conjured up by Haringey Council and traders group the Crouch End Project, has seen shoppers in the Broadway rewarded over the last week with vouchers that can be redeemed for two hours of free parking in pay and display bays.

Chris Freeman, the owner of Dunns Bakery in the Broadway and a member of the Crouch End Project, said the scheme had had a positive response so far.

He said: "It's going well - I've had a good response from my customers. I've certainly had no negative comments so that must be a good thing. People who came to Crouch End last week were given their vouchers then and we hope they will be back this week. That's when we'll see if it's working. You have to take a longer term view than just a week."

Responding to reports of green-eyed residents in neighbouring Muswell Hill and Highgate, Mr Freeman said he was quite sure there would be a bit of jealousy among those traders who wanted a similar scheme of their own.

"We had a team of people who worked very hard to make sure we could speak to the council with one voice. That's what clinched it, to be honest.

"But the council is keen to do this kind of thing so it's really down to people to get involved if they want something like this in their area."

Kinesiologist Ella Owen, from Kinesiology and Nutrition in the Broadway, said the scheme seemed to be a good one.

"I've been given a couple of vouchers although I haven't used mine yet," she said. "I know that quite often my clients take a little while to park so this is very welcome. I've heard a couple of people saying how well the scheme works."

However, not everyone's business in the Broadway has been lit up by the free parking scheme.

The Crouch End parking initiative comes to a close on December 31 and residents hoping to take part need a free loyalty card which they can obtain from any shop displaying a Crouch End Project sticker. Traders will then offer them vouchers each time they come to shop.

Some traders say more still needs to be done on parking in the area including introducing more space generally.

Maria Kasapi, who works at David Clulow opticians in the Broadway, said: "It took me 20 minutes to park before work this morning. Parking in Crouch End has become a complete nightmare. There is no proper parking space anywhere near the Broadway.