Free parking axe 'a crime to businesses' - trader

It will no longer be free to park for the first hour in Yarm and Stockton town centres

A business owner has hit out at a council's decision to scrap free parking, describing it as "an absolute crime" to local traders.

Drivers currently do not have to pay to park for the first hour in Stockton and Yarm in Teesside, but in February a £1.50 charge will be brought in for the initial three hours.

Lisa Chapman, who owns The Skin Company in Yarm, said she feared it would stop people from "impulse shopping", which would hit small businesses.

Stockton Borough Council defended the decision and said the move would raise £800,000 a year for the local authority, helping to plug a financial hole.

Business owner Lisa Chapman, from The Skin Company, described the charges as "an absolute crime"

Ms Chapman added: "Every pound the council charges for parking is a pound that increases costs for high street businesses."

A row has now erupted over the Labour-led authority's decision, which has been criticised by Conservative rivals for pushing the changes through without a consultation.

Tory councillor Lynn Hall said she believed the move would hit local trade.

"No consultation has taken place to remove the first hour free parking in Stockton and Yarm," she said.

"It will seriously affect small businesses that we are trying to attract to Stockton and we're encouraging to flourish in Yarm."

Independent business owners in Yarm say they are worried about the impact the changes may have on footfall

Council leader Bob Cook said nobody "likes to put up charges".

"But as you know we have a deficit, and we have to look at all ways to reduce that deficit over the next few years to ensure that we have a balanced budget," he added.

Matt Vickers, Conservative MP for Stockton West, has started a petition to stop the parking changes in Yarm.

He said: "Local shops rely on the free parking to attract customers, and introducing charges will literally drive people away."

Cabinet member for transport, Clare Besford, told the BBC the decision was taken "after careful consideration" and was "competitive" with other car parks across the Tees Valley.