A GENEROUS Maldon businessman is helping both the High Street and Plume Academy with thousands of pounds to support the school and provide 180 free parking spaces for weekend shoppers.

For the last six years, Roy Pipe of R Pipe Insurance in High Street, Maldon, has made a donation of £5,000 to the academy - and in return the school opens up the car park and tennis court area at its Fambridge Road site to the general public for car parking from 6.30pm on Fridays to 6.30am on Mondays.

This year the arrangement has been timed to coincide with the full re-opening of the town centre's businesses - including indoor hospitality - on 17 May. This means that the first full days of weekend free parking is tomorrow (Saturday, 22 May).

Richard Scott, Plume Academy's Director of Finance and Premises, said: "The idea behind the agreement is to encourage people into Maldon High Street, where parking charges may otherwise turn them towards other venues.

"The High Street is one of Roy's passions, having had his insurance consultancy established there for such a long time, but it is a mutually beneficial agreement as the donation brings huge benefit to the academy towards our own fund raising as it helps with outdoor maintenance and student resources.

"We all hope it helps to reinvigorate the high street after such a lengthy dormant period."

Mr Pipe said: "We decided to step in to provide this free parking and support the school. There are 180 places now, so it provides a whole extra car park that's free for shoppers at weekends.

"We can do this because of the success we've had on the High Street and it's so important to support the businesses there, especially now."