The Free2Shop campaign – backed by the Advertiser and the town’s community council – also calls for one hour free on-street parking in the town centre, claiming parking charges and a ‘lack of consistency’ regarding rules for parking charges are deterring people from using the town centre.

There have also been 250 questionnaires filled out, which allows people to give feedback and suggestions.

Henry Ainslie, editor of the Advertiser, has called for more people to sign the petition - by popping into shops around the town and adding their signature to the growing list, or signing online.

He said: "The response to the Free2Shop campaign so far has been fantastic and shows there is a real appetite in Helensburgh for these changes.

"The success of a similar scheme in Northumberland, as reported in this week's Advertiser, shows not only that this can be done, but that it works.

"I would urge as many people as possible to sign the petition and show Argyll and Bute Council that two hours free parking is what this town wants and deserves."

Off-street parking on Sinclair Street, Maitland Street, and the charging area of the pier car park would be subject to charges, costing 80 pence for 60 minutes.

The chamber’s concern is that despite the recent improvements delivered by the £7.23m CHORD project, the town centre is ‘struggling to compete’ with out-of-town shopping and other areas that offer free parking.

To view and sign the chamber’s online petition visit: www.change.org, enter ‘Argyll and Bute parking petition’ into the search bar, and follow the link.

The Argyll and Bute Council online consultation runs until Friday, April 3 — visit the local authority’s website to take part. Consultation event will also take place in Luss Village Hall on Tuesday, March 31, 2pm to 4pm, and 6pm and 8pm.

A spokesman for the council said they will use the feedback to finalised proposals, which will go to the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee in due course.