Over two-thirds of respondents (72%) on MKFM's poll said that free parking would encourage them to shop on the high street, despite the council leader thinking otherwise.
Cllr Pete Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes Council, has said that there is "zero evidence" that free parking would do anything to benefit retail.
This comes as the Conservative Group, alongside 72% of respondents on MKFM's poll, believe that free parking would help kickstart the local economy and encourage more people to visit the city centre.
The Conservative Group has gone as far as creating a petition, which has over 1,000 signatures, to encourage MK Council to consider offering free parking to all.
One poll respondent said that free parking "wouldn't hurt" but that shopping is far "easier and cheaper online". They added: "This is much more convenient, plus you never get frustrated by being behind a load of slow walkers or people who after being in a queue for 15 minutes leave it until they reach the front before they decide what they want to buy."
Ian Stuart, Chief Executive of Destination MK, believes that there are other factors, aside from parking charges, that deter people from going out to the shops. He said: "I am sure that anyone visiting the centre:mk for ‘retail therapy’ would welcome free parking and the retailers may well feel a small benefit of some additional visitors, but in such difficult times I’m not sure that ‘parking fees’ are discouraging shoppers, as there are far bigger cautionary deterrents out there due to Covid 19.
"Equally the council is facing a big gap in its funding due to the lack of parking revenue which may well be spent on key services we all depend upon. So whilst I might advocate the benefit to retail in the short term, I feel that by looking at the ‘bigger picture’ I suggest that parking charges remain in place for the current period."
Melanie Beck, Chief Executive of MyMiltonKeynes, also believes that there could be a "more strategic approach" to encourage shoppers to return. Melanie added: "With an eye on the council budgets, which we cannot ignore perhaps offering free parking before 10 and after 3 for one hour would be a more strategic approach to ironing out the peak times and ensuring the safety of our residents and visitors."
She continued: "MKC has had a massive job to fulfil in the last four months. Restructuring staff support to meet the demands of delivering food to shielding residents, assisting care homes, housing the homeless, maintaining essential services, the list is endless. This all on a backdrop of huge public spending which at this time there is no understanding of how the books will be balanced at the end of it.
"We must also be cognisant that the car park income drives the ability to subsidise public transport, make good potholes and highways enhancement. If the income drops it will make these important infrastructure projects unachievable. This leaves our most vulnerable residents potentially more isolated as one area of cuts to fund free parking might be bus routes and bus subsidy.
"Of course free parking in cmk for all sounds like an excellent plan. At what cost to other services the council provides and for how long….I am sure Pete would love to be a position to make this a long term promise. What happens when it is revoked as inevitably it will have to be. The backlash will be far worse than the celebration."
Melanie concluded: "Without wishing to enter the political mudslinging (MyMiltonKeynes is an apolitical organisation) if this was introduced and then withdrawn it would certainly make for a good campaign headline next April for the conservatives and I certainly believe that we have much more important issues to deal with such as rising unemployment, business failures than an hour’s free parking."
