A number of groups in Stoke-on-Trent have vented their anger after the local council decided to increase the parking charges at night.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has opted to hike the fees from £1 to £2 after 6pm - a move that will affect motorists, restaurant visitors, traders and theatre goers, reports the Sentinel.
From the local authority's point of view, the decision is expected to raise an extra £108,000, but that has not stopped several people revealing their unhappiness with the new charges.
And it is not the only change the council is planning, as other alterations include introducing a minimum stay of two hours in some city centre car parks in a bid to encourage shoppers to remain there for longer, increasing charges in Meigh Street and John Street multi-storey car parks and offering a free parking zone in Woodbank Street, Tunstall.
Glenn Harrod, manager of The Church Bar and Restaurant in Old Town Road, said many people simply cannot afford to continue paying for parking, while owner of the John Belfield International Hair Salon in Hanley Jonathan Belfield added: "Evening parking should be free to entice people into the city centre."
Council bosses noted there has been no increase in parking charges in the city centre since 2010-11, while they are aiming to reduce fees in some other car parks and areas.
That has failed to appease business owners, who believe the hike could scare off traders and visitors and damage the attempts that are being made to persuade people to come to Hanley in the evening.
The council may now be wise to employ a raft of new staff in parking positions in order to maintain control and to ensure the new regulations are adhered to.
City Centre Partnership chairman Doug Wardle said: "A rise in parking fees will not help the city centre. However, if there is an added value with this change then the public and the traders may well benefit from it."
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