Traders worried over 11% rise in parking charges

Car parking charges in Guildford will increase by 11% in April

Businesses in Guildford fear a planned 11% increase in car parking charges will harm trade.

Ben Darnton, owner of Ben's Collectors Records in Tunsgate, said he was worried the rise from April will put people off visiting the Surrey town during the week.

Guildford MP Angela Richardson has also raised concerns about the impact of the move on the local economy.

Guildford Borough Council's lead councillor for commercial services, Catherine Houston, said: "Guildford is not the only council putting up parking charges."

The minimum parking charge at car parks, including sites in Bedford Road, Millbrook and Tunsgate, will increase from £3.60 to £4 for three hours.

Mr Darnton said people may choose to use out-of-town shopping centres where parking is free.

He told BBC Radio Surrey: "It's going to have a terrible impact on my business because it's going to thin out the amount of people coming in."

The owner of Ben's Collectors Records fears the new charges will put off visitors

Ms Houston said parking charges in the town had been frozen for two years.

She said the council was having to look at alternative measures of funding, and parking fees helped fund "crucial" council services.

The Lib Dem councillor added: "Paying for parking is a fact of life across the country and across Surrey."

Conservative MP Ms Richardson pointed to the doubling of Sunday charges and said parking charges at around £1 per hour was needed in the town.

She said the parking charge increase was "just one measure in a budget that is harmful for Guildford."

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