Free parking for shoppers in Reading is set to end under new proposals.
About 200 parking spaces in the town centre are to be converted into short-term pay and display areas in a bid to generate more money.
Reading council said the scheme could be rolled out to Caversham and other shopping areas in the town centre if the two-year trial was a success.
The charge, due to be enforced in the autumn, is expected to be 50p for 20 minutes, with a maximum one-hour stay.
Councillor Richard Willis, in charge of transport and planning at the council, said: "We think that's going to increase the turnover in the bays and it will be good, particularly for small businesses.
"It's all about raising money because we have a deficit in the residents' parking scheme, but there are other benefits as well and some of the businesses we have spoken to are supportive."
