New parking meters in Rockville Centre now print discount coupons for local shops and other businesses when motorists pay for parking time, encouraging them to shop local.
The idea is a joint venture between Mastercard and the parking company Parkeon, and depending on reaction it may be rolled out throughout the US.
There has long been angst between traders and local authorities in Ireland who have imposed pay parking in towns around the country, the former often claiming that they lose business to out-of-town shopping centres as a result.
