Traders in the Forest of Dean claim that new parking charges are crippling business.
Traders in a market town in the Forest of Dean say that relatively small parking charges introduced in the summer have caused a big problem for business.
Shoppers used to be able to park for free in Coleford. Now they are having to pay 20 pence for the first hour. It may not sound much, but shopkeepers say it's meant people spend less time browsing and buying. Ken Goodwin reports.
Traders in a market town in the Forest of Dean say that parking charges introduced in the summer have been a disaster for business.
Shoppers used to be able to park free but now they are having to pay. Shopkeepers say that means people spend less time browsing and spending.
We asked motorists what they think of the parking charges...
Brian Robinson, Deputy Leader of Forest of Dean District Council, says that the parking charges are modest but they are listening to what traders say.
Lisa Williams, who runs the Bootylicious shop in Coleford, says that amid the recession, the introduction of parking charges was the last straw.
Traders in the Forest of Dean claim that parking charges introduced over the summer are ruining their businesses.
Previously, parking in towns like Lydney and Coleford was free. Now shoppers pay 20p for the first hour.
Shop owners say it means people are no longer browsing, which is bad for business.
