Darlington Borough Council is looking to implement car parking offers whilst working alongside bus operator Arriva to bring more people into town using discounted tickets.

Members of the council's cabinet committee will be looking at the potential benefits of the scheme when they meet to discuss the proposal tomorrow afternoon.

The initiatives are designed to give traders and shopkeepers a boost during their busiest time of the year – from the end of November until the beginning of January.

From Thursday, November 23, when the town's Christmas lights are officially switched on, people will be able to take advantage of two parking offers – the first being a free third hour in all short stay car parks “three for two” and the second being to charge £2 for all day in East Street car park.

The council is proposing that the offers run until Tuesday, January 2.

Officers have calculated the potential cost of running the offer but they are recommending that the scheme by implemented to boost shopper numbers in the town centre over the vital six-week period for local businesses.

The report reads: " If this year’s offer results in a similar increase and assuming that all of these additional tickets resulted from displacement from other long stay car parks the loss of income to the Council would be £13,380.

"However, this is a worst-case estimate as in reality the offer will draw in some additional customers – bringing in additional income – and there will be some displacement from short stay – with negligible impact on income.

"It is difficult to estimate the impact of displacement but it is not unreasonable to assume that the net cost will be less than £13,380 and perhaps will be as low as £10,000."

The link-up with Arriva will see shoppers being able to buy a Darlington Town Day Ticket, which provides unlimited travel within the town all day, being offered at two tickets for £5 –normally £3.50 each.

While the second offer is the wider Borough ticket which covers the rural areas where two tickets will be offered for £8.50 – normally £5.80 per ticket.

If approved, a notice of the Council’s will advertise the change to its parking tariffs while providing information at pay points. There will also be promotion and advertising of the offer to the public and to retailers.

The meeting takes place in Darlington Town Hall tomorrow from 5pm.