As previously reported in the Melton Times angry shoppers and traders have been hitting out since clamping was enforced in the Bell Centre car park.
Clamping victims have been forced to stump up £150 to have clamps released and concerns have be ra
ised about the detrimental impact it has had on Bell Centre and town trade.
But there's hope a more 'customer friendly' solution could be found following a crunch meeting this week between council officials and Jon Archer, of site agents Andrew and Ashwell.
Parking enforcement options were discussed including a proposal to operate a joint enforcement system using existing council-employed staff operating in the adjoining Melton Council car park in St Mary's Way.
Melton town centre manager Lisa Hammond, who attended the meeting, said: "It was very positive. Mr Archer came with an open mind and sat and listened to all the proposals put on the table. He said he would take information away and pass it on to the site owners Midlands Co-op. He thinks there's a deal to be done and that we can work in partnership but first we have to reach an agreement with the Co-op.
"At the end of the day we all agreed the Bell Centre car park should be available for customers. We want customers to come and park and shop in the Bell Centre."
Warren Griffith, parking services manager at Harborough District Council, which manages Melton Council's car parks, said: "It was a very positive meeting and those attending were open to our ideas. The council submitted a proposal to operate a joint enforcement system using existing council-employed staff and they have taken that away to their client for discussion."
A Midlands Co-op spokeswoman said: "The meeting was both amicable and constructive. As a result, Melton Council will be developing certain proposals further, which we will discuss with them in due course. In the meantime, our current enforcement policy will continue as normal."
