More than 25 local authorities have so far agreed to offer free parking on Small Business Saturday.

Following a letter from the Forum of Private Businesses (FPB) to councils across the UK, 27 local authorities have agreed to waive parking charges on 7 December.

Chief Executive of the FPB Phil Orford said: “The response from many councils has been really encouraging. It’s great to see local authorities are prepared to take this step to support their local small business community. We may have just 27 so far but we hope many more will follow suit.”

However, some councils are refusing to play ball. Weston-super-Mare Spar retailer Mark Canniford tried to use his influence as a councillor to persuade North Somerset Council to waive parking charges for the day, but to no avail.

“The council said it helps small businesses more by having parking charges as it turns the traffic over quickly. It’s unbelievable,” he said. “It’s disappointing to have a local authority which claims to be pro-business but does nothing to show it is.”

The councils which have agreed to offer free parking on 7 December are as follows:

1.    Arun District Council

2.    Blaby District Council

3.    Breckland Council

4.    Camden Council

5.    Castle Point Borough Council

6.    Cheshire East Council

7.    Cheshire West and Chester Council

8.    Chesterfield Borough Council

9.    Cornwall Council

10.  Cumbria County Council

11.  East Riding of Yorkshire Council

12.  Eden District Council

13.  Hart District Council

14.  Hartlepool Borough Council

15.  Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council

16.  Merton London Borough Council

17.  Middlesbrough Council

18.  Mole Valley District Council

19.  North Tyneside Council

20.  North Warwickshire Borough Council

21.  Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council

22.  Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

23.  Pendle Borough Council

24.  Richmond upon Thames London Borough Council

25.  Rossendale Borough Council

26.  Selby District Council

27.  Stevenage Borough Council