LUDLOW Chamber of Trade has set out its concerns in detail about the proposed changes to car parking changes in the town.

The chamber which claims to represent 70 per cent of Ludlow businesses says that the impact of the proposed changes will be to damage trade especially in the evenings and low season.

In a statement detailing its concerns, the chamber says that increasing on-street parking to £2 an hour will make it too expensive and will badly affect locals popping to the butchers and bakers.

It currently costs £2.30 for the maximum of three hours, effectively 76p an hour, therefore it will be a 163 per cent increase. The chamber also believes that with no maximum length of stay, parking places will be blocked for long periods by only those that can afford it.

It wants to retain the ‘Pop and shop 15 minutes’ that it says is perfect for going to the bank or stationers and that losing this means people will stop popping into town for their favourites and everyday jobs.

The chamber fears that this change would be a great loss to many regulars who keep the town going throughout the winter months.

There is major concern about the proposal to continue to impose parking charges until 8pm instead of 6pm as at present.

Ludlow Chamber says that this would ‘just about kill' the night-time economy. The chamber says that many events, restaurant bookings, films all start at 7 or 7.30pm and that having charges until 8pm will damage entertainment venues, pubs and restaurants badly.

Removal of the maximum stay rule will, in the view of the chamber, result in parking places that would be used by shoppers becoming unavailable. The chamber is also concerned that changes to season tickets will also block places.