The City of Sydney has canned a proposal to turn off parking meters on popular streets at night after Mayor Clover Moore knocked the idea down.

Liberal Councillor Christine Forster put forward the motion in a bid to give small businesses in the area a leg up.

Some of the proposed streets include Crown and Oxford streets in Sydney’s CBD, as well as certain streets in Pyrmont.

But the move looks to be dead in the water, despite retailers in Sydney’s inner city seeing successes after their council passed a similar ruling two months ago.

Mark Chapman from the Royal Hotel in Leichhardt tells Ben some retailers in the area are extending their opening hours as a result.

“There’s been a really good positive reaction from local business people. I think the main thing is the council are willing to work with local business to help stimulate that night trade along the retail areas.”

Click PLAY below to hear from Mark