CONTROVERSIAL plans to introduce town centre parking charges will be on the agenda when Johnstone Business Consortium stages its latest meeting tonight.

It was revealed by The Gazette in November that Renfrewshire Council wants to impose fees at parking bays in Johnstone and Renfrew town centres.

Council chiefs say this will attract shoppers by increasing the turnover of parking spaces.

However, JBC members insist the charges will have the opposite effect, driving people away.

Anyone who wants to have their say on the plans is invited to tonight’s meeting, which takes place at Johnstone Town Hall, starting at 6pm.

Allan Henderson, JBC chairman, said: “Our petition against these plans has received over 3,000 signatures, so it is clear residents do not want this in our town.

“We need to continue to put pressure on the council.”