THE parking charges are even hitting a city centre church.
Joy Purchase, who helps run coffee mornings at the United Reformed Church on market days, says takings are down by 20 to 30 per cent.
The money goes towards the church’s heating, lighting and water bills. Mrs Purchase said: “We charge 50p for a cup of tea, 80p for coffee, and also sell cakes and sausage rolls.
“On a Tuesday, we used to take more than £100, but that’s dropped right back now to £70 to £80. We’re losing about £30 twice weekly. Some of our regular supporters have not been since the parking charges have gone up.
“Others have said ‘We are only going to come once a month instead of every week’ or ‘We can only afford to come once a week’.
“It’s very worrying.”
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