A BENDIGO business calling for one-hour free CBD parking has received more than 400 signatures on a petition.

Hargreaves Mall business Free Choice Tobacconist manager Scott Dalgleish started the petition just over one week ago, stating city businesses could not compete with those in shopping malls.

Mr Dalgleish said 10 more stores had gotten on board to display the petition, in addition to the 40 already distributed.

"We've had overwhelming support, everyone seems to feel the same as us," he said.

"We just want the Hargreaves Street multi-storey to be at least equal with the car park on Edwards Street."

The business planned to submit the petition to the City of Greater Bendigo next month.

Mr Dalgleish said it was unfair for the city to "experiment" on CBD businesses in its transport strategy.

"Bendigo is a regional town, having these plans for public transport hubs and a car-free city just won't work in reality," he said.