PARKING charges in Helensburgh are set to be scrapped for two weeks in the run-up to Christmas.

Councillors will be asked to approve the temporary suspension of off-street charges from December 11-24 when they meet next week.

A report on the issue says that the move – which, if agreed, would apply to all the local authority car parks across Argyll and Bute, including those elsewhere in Helensburgh and Lomond – would result in the council losing around £20,000 in revenue.

But the report states that allowing people to park free of charge could be of vital help to local businesses as they fight the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

READ MORE: Call for Helensburgh parking charges to be suspended to give businesses a festive boost

Helensburgh Community Council (HCC) is one of three groups to have written to the council asking for off-street parking charges to be suspended across Argyll and Bute next month – though the council's proposal actually goes further than HCC's request, which was for charges to be scrapped from December 14 until Christmas Eve.

Kirsty Flanagan, the council's executive director of development and infrastructure, says in her report: "This year, more than ever, with the ongoing pandemic situation, it is hoped that the suspension of car parking charges will encourage residents to remain within Argyll and Bute and shop local.

"The estimated loss in car parking revenue for the two week period is estimated to be approximately £20,000, however the suspension of charges is considered to provide an overall benefit to the local economy."

On-street parking charges will remain in place across Argyll and Bute.

LATEST HEADLINES: Demolition not viable for dangerous East Clyde Street building, says new council report

Elsewhere in the council area, the Oban BIDS group had asked for a suspension from December 13, though that organisation also said it had secured grant funding which could pay for the cost of suspending charges on additional days.

The Dunoon Presents group asked for charges to be "suspended for an indefinite period, but as a minimum until Christmas", according to Ms Flanagan's report.

Ms Flanagan's recommendation will go before a full council meeting to be held on Thursday, November 26.

READ MORE: Click here for all the latest news headlines from across Helensburgh and Lomond