TRADERS have welcomed a decision by Tesco to let shoppers use its car park for an extra hour.

Shopkeepers and customers of George Street in Hove were fuming when the supermarket giant announced it was ending its free two hours of parking for all.

They said it could be the death knell for neighbouring George Street as many shoppers relied on using Tesco’s car park.

Tesco said only its customers could park there – with a two-hour slot for a minimum £5 spend. But the supermarket has now said the two-hour limit at the store in Church Road has been extended to three hours for £5 for a three-month trial period.

Traders in George Street, and residents living nearby welcomed the decision to allow people to use its car park for an extra hour, which they hope will increase footfall in the street.

Emma Dalton, 35, of nearby Clarendon Villas, raised the concerns of traders and shoppers with The Argus last year after setting up the Save George Street Facebook page.

She said: “I think this has given people a bigger opportunity to use George Street.

“The previous time constraint was not long enough.

“The road now opening at 4pm in summer months as well as the winter will make a massive difference to businesses.

“There will be extra daytime customers shopping there.

“We hope trade will continue to grow.”

David Ichola, 36, who runs The Studio barbers and tattoo shop in George Street, said: “It gives the public a lot longer to browse around and it affects the surrounding areas too. So far the response has been really positive from people.”

The Save George Street campaigners met Hove Central ward councillors Clare Moonan and Andrew Wealls, as well as Tesco’s manager Michael Germain to discuss possible changes to parking at the store before the decision was made.

In a joint statement, councillors Wealls and Moonan said: “We are really pleased Tesco can support George Street businesses by offering this trial period of an extra hour’s parking.

“They have been very constructive in their discussions with us and the Save George Street campaign on behalf of the George Street businesses, and they are very keen to help sustain a vibrant shopping community around their store.

“I encourage Tesco customers to make great use of the extra time by visiting nearby shopping streets.”

The decision comes after a hard-fought campaign for George Street to be pedestrianised only until 4pm in the summer, rather than 6pm, to encourage more trade.

The city council voted last November for the proposed changes to be trialled from April to October this year, after a petition gained 2,600 signatures and a survey of 1,300 people showed 74 per cent supported the change.