BRISTOL mayor George Ferguson this evening lifted parking restrictions in Gloucester Road's bus lane to support its traders' late night shopping initiative.
The idea originally came from Gloucester Road Traders' Association, which believed allowing people to park in the bus lane between 4.30pm and 6.30pm, which is usually banned, would encourage Christmas trade.
Around 50 independent shops stayed open until 8pm tonight, and will be doing the same thing next Thursday.
If the suspended parking restrictions are a success, Mr Ferguson plans to let shoppers park in the bus lane again next week.
But the idea has not gained support from all corners.
First Bus said it was only given 24-hours notice of the new scheme and did not have a chance to warn passengers of delays.
Mr Ferguson was welcomed by traders with a free mince pie and a glass of mulled wine last night.
He said: "At the moment suspending parking restrictions on the bus lane for the evening peak is an experiment.
"I like a suck it and see approach to changing things - no long surveys or reports - we are just trying something out, and if it works we will do it again next week.
"I wanted to support the independent traders' late night shopping initiative. Gloucester Road is one of my favourite places in Bristol - it's got so many wonderful independent shops.
"It's not all about parking, it's about seeing what activity takes place. Council officers are monitoring the road tonight and we will see what happens.
"The traders' association came to me with the idea and I thought it was worth a try."
Dan Stern, owner of The Fish Shop and part of the Gloucester Road Traders Association, said: "We wanted to offer a real alternative to the usual Mall shopping experience.
"Gloucester Road is already known as one of the Bristol's best independent shopping streets but most people can only get down here at the weekend, so this is a chance for people to come down after work as well."
Eva Fernandes, owner of mother and baby shop Born and also a member of the traders' association, said: "It's great that Mr Ferguson listened to us and decided to give this a trial.
"It doesn't make sense for people not to be able to park in the bus lane in the evening peak, as more cars are coming out of town, where there is no bus lane anyway.
"From our point of view it's about joined up thinking and having a public transport system that works."
Fahid Rehman, of Feel n' Fruity greengrocers, another shop open until 8pm, said: "This is a great idea - it's great to get support for our late night shopping idea.
"A lot of people like to stop in on their way home from work but some don't like parking in the side streets so hopefully this will help business."
A spokesman for First Bus said: "We wholeheartedly support local traders, however, we were very concerned to hear that bus priority measures – such as the bus lane on Gloucester Road – were being suspended to allow this event to take place.We are concerned about the impact that this suspension will have on bus users in the city, and the delay that it will inevitably cause for people making journeys both in and out of the city."
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