THE hike in parking charges in Salisbury is already having an impact, according to traders in the city.

Salisbury has a diverse mix of independent shops and a twice-weekly market and there are fears these will be less able to withstand the impact of increased charges than national retail outlets.

Market trader Tim Kitcher, who runs a card stall, said: “It’s ridiculous - all this is saying is ‘don’t come to Salisbury, go somewhere else’. We need people to come into Salisbury to spend money.”

Ray Reeve, of Reeve the Baker, said: “Salisbury should be a busy, bustling market town. We need people and affordable parking.”

And Daniel Rimer, of Wilton Wholefoods, said: “Customers have been very upset about it. It willmake them think twice about shopping here which is the last thing we need.”

Hilary Small, 58, from WK Small, Winchester Street, has noticed decreased footfall since the increased charges came in.

Mrs Small said: “I do think it has had a big impact - footfall is just non-existent.”

And traders say shoppers are now more cautious about how many times they come into the city each week.

“Instead of popping in, I think people wait until they need to come in for something else,” said Annie Arthey, 59, of underwear shop Just Jane, Milford Street. “People are taking longer to come in and collect their orders so we don’t have such a quick turnover of goods.”

Many traders say the impact of the charges is hitting harder in many cases because of the current economic climate.

Mark Sippitts, 57, of Harbour fish and chip shop, Salt Lane, said his business has seen a decrease in the number of people coming in during the day. “Most of our business now is after 6pm. The short-stay parking outside our shop is normally completely full - now it’s dead. It’s ridiculous,” he said.

Richard Wheeler, 53, manager at B&R Textiles, said: “It’s absolutely diabolical.

We need something to be done - we’ve been in Salisbury for 28 years and have never known anything like this.”

For some, it could even spell the end of trading in the city. “If it has such a detrimental effect it will ultimately leave me to reappraise whether I should have a shop here at all; time will tell,”

said David Norman, 60, of Party Seasons, Priory Square.