Andrew Upton, 28, Great Sutton: “I come to use the bank and visit the shops and have used the free parking a lot, I think it’s been well advertised. “It would suit me to change my routine and come after 3pm. I don’t think people will react well to having to pay again, people feel they pay enough in Council Tax. “But obviously they have to balance the books and get the money from somewhere and I think the free after 3pm would encourage people into town.”

Cath Tempest, 43, Great Sutton: “I don’t think I would take advantage of it. I never take my son Liam, nine, shopping, I’d always come when the children were in school. “I’d just pay again I think, I used to pay before. I must admit that I always drive past the library car park to come here because it’s free but I’ll pay in future. “It could be difficult getting a space after 3pm as well, I can see people driving from school and coming straight here.”

Thomas Jones, 59, Stanney Grange: “It’s not just the ordinary motorist, how is it going to affect the traders? “Shoppers will just go elsewhere, and why wouldn’t they park for free in Morrisons and Sainsbury’s? Why is it only the top end of the Port that suffers from a parking charge. “I worry that people will go elsewhere, like Bromborough, and this will take revenue away from the town.”

Albert Royce, 78, Helsby: “Well we would normally be gone by that time of day and we’ve got a disability badge so we probably wouldn’t be affected. “I think that the free parking at the moment is good but I don’t think it’s advertised well enough, it’s not obvious to everyone. “After 3pm wouldn’t suit everyone.”

Joan Tickle, 55 and Keith Tickle, of Liverpool, of the Shoe Box, Ellesmere Port Market. Mrs Tickle said: “I think it could be beneficial, it used to be a busy period for us with mums walking round with the kids after school. Mr Tickle said: “It’s difficult to judge the impact of things like free parking because of the recession.”

Julie Woodfine, 42, of The Flowerman stall, Ellesmere Port Market, of Tarvin, said: “The market shuts at 5pm so the free after 3 parking scheme is a good idea for the likes of Asda who can open later but I don't see how it will help other traders like us. “It is encouraging later shopping but that doesn't benefit us.”