Shrewsbury’s shopping centres have issued a rallying call for people to back a campaign for free parking in the town on Sundays.
The plea for support follows a proposal by borough council bosses to increase Sunday parking costs and extend the hours of operation.
Changes are due to come into effect from March 31 and include Sunday parking in council-operated car parks at Raven Meadows, The Strand, Abbey Foregate, St Julian’s Friars and Frankwell rising from £1.50 to £2. Twelve months ago it was just 50p.
Extended hours of charging would also be introduced meaning drivers using some council car parks during the week would have to pay up until 8.30pm.
June Meagher, marketing manager for the Darwin and Pride Hill shopping centres, said traders in the centres were disgusted at the proposals and believe the council should introduce free parking on Sundays.
“The shops at the moment are finding it difficult and I think we should be doing more things to encourage people into town on a Sunday for shopping and leisure.”
She said when parking charges rose to £1.50 there was a marked decrease in footfall on a Sunday. “Figures have dropped by 40 per cent since 2006,” she added.
Simon Airey, chairman of Shrewsbury Business Chamber, said: “We need to be supporting Sunday retail rather than doing things which work against it, the chamber would be totally against any increase.”
Councillor Tudor Bebb, portfolio holder for parking, said the increases were necessary to ‘balance the books’.
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