DURING its May members meeting, Launceston Chamber of Commerce formally launched their ‘Saturday Opening Times Initiative’.

The idea behind the initiative is to encourage all local businesses to extend their opening hours on a Saturday allowing both residents and visitors to enjoy shopping, eating and drinking throughout the whole day.

Chamber chair Irena Jordi-Slater, of Nomads, said: “The Chamber is working hard, alongside other organisations, to promote our town and its wealth of businesses, however many businesses expressed to the chamber how quiet Saturdays can be in town.

“This is somewhat of a cycle as businesses are closed because it is quiet, but then no one comes into town because businesses are closed in the afternoon. We want to offer more for our residents and visitors by promoting longer opening hours.

“We are very fortunate to be able to have parking for just £1 all day in many car parks, we should be making the most of this offer and encourage residents and visitors to support local businesses.”

The chamber has produced a letter, which will be sent to all businesses, members and non-members, encouraging them to remain open through Saturday afternoons to help the town continue to thrive.

It is also looking at promotional material for businesses that choose to extend their hours and promote the £1 car parking offer.

Chamber secretary Jeff Pullen, of Launceston Computers, said: “As a business community we must come together to encourage people to shop and eat in our town.

“We have a range of new shops and ventures opening, the new events lined up through the summer and autumn by the chamber will also offer many opportunities for local businesses to gain from the increased footfall, but this needs to be a collective effort.”