FREE short-term parking could be introduced in the run up to Christmas in an effort to boost struggling small businesses.

Waltham Forest Council has promised to roll out the 15-minute scheme in main shopping streets across the borough after independent retailers complained that parking restrictions and heavy fines were pushing customers to major chains and large shopping centres.

The roads included in the scheme and the date of the roll-out have yet to be announced, but councillors in Highams Park say they have been told it is likely to be before Christmas.

Small retailers in the area have told the Guardian they have been hit hard by the opening of a Tesco superstore nearby and parking restrictions around their shops.

Poppies bakery in Hale End Road said it is losing hundreds of pounds a week since the superstore, which offers free parking, opened off Larkshall Road last month.

Assistant manager Marilyn Loe, 28, believes free short-term parking could make all the difference.

She said: "It would be a life-line for businesses. We want it because customers will not be put off by parking."

Syed Ahmed, 58, owner of Rowe Sports in New Road, Chingford, also welcomed the move.

He said: "It would be great. It would help those customers who pop in to buy small things, which amounts to a lot of our business.

"Many shops are struggling but if the council ease up on parking it could really help."

The council said pilot schemes in Station Road, Chingford, and Leyton have proved a success.

Traders in north Chingford say they have seen some improvement, but called on the scheme to be more widely advertised.

However, Ian Linsdall, director of historic toy shop Ditchfield's in High Road, Leyton, said the proposal is too little too late.

The shop, which has been run by five generations of one family since 1934, is set to close, with the owners blaming the devastating impact of a controlled parking zone in surrounding streets.

Director Ian Linsdall said: "It's now too late for us and 15 minutes isn't really enough - half an hour is more realistic."

Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Clyde Loakes, said: "We know that residents want to be able to park up and pop into their local shops to buy a pint of milk and loaf of bread and that is why the council introduced a pilot scheme in Leyton and Station Road, Chingford, offering 15 minutes of free parking earlier this year.

"After evaluation it was clear that the scheme was making life easier for both residents and businesses, and the council will be rolling it out borough-wide."