FREE parking rules in Salisbury may be changed because workers and commuters are taking many of the spaces meant for shoppers and tourists, Wiltshire Council has said.

Charges in all council-run car parks in the city centre and at the Old George Mall were suspended until further notice in a bid to boost trade after the nerve agent attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal in March.

All five park and ride sites are also free until further notice.

But now a survey has revealed that many shoppers cannot take advantage of the offer because free parking spots have already been taken before the shops open.

Atiqul Hoque, Conservative councillor for the city centre ward of St Edmund and Milford, said business owners had welcomed the suspension of parking charges, but had raised concerns about how the scheme was operating.

Mr Hoque said: “All agreed that the free parking is working and bringing people into the city, but they have highlighted a concern that much of the parking space is taken by employees who normally use the park and ride.

"Central car park in particular is getting quite full before the shops even open."

He urged all retail and office workers to keep using park and ride to free up spaces for shoppers.

“Wiltshire Council, working with the BID, Visit Wiltshire and others are going to great lengths to help the city keep going until we get back to normal but we need to make sure this support is available.

"I think that the free parking is a great idea but we need to make sure it is there to be used by people who will spend in our shops and restaurants and keep our businesses thriving.”

Wiltshire Council said: “We introduced free parking in all our Salisbury car parks after discussions with local businesses to help encourage shoppers and visitors into the city centre.

“However, surveys have revealed that many car parking spaces are being taken up by workers and commuters, which has prevented shoppers and visitors from being able to take advantage of the free parking.

"We are considering changes to the free parking provision to further encourage shoppers and visitors, and in turn support Salisbury’s businesses.”