Parking fees due to double

Long-stay charges at one of Kidderminster's main car parks are to double as the festive shopping season gets under way. The news sparked an immediate outcry.

The move aims to stop office workers clogging up spaces.

But it was today greeted with anger by shoppers and traders who say it could kill off trade completely in the town.

Charges at Weavers Wharf car park are currently £5 for more than four hours or a full day. But under planned changes from November 30 the rate for more than four hours will go up to £10.

A new hourly rate of 70p will be introduced. Customers now pay 90p for up to two hours. This rises to a £1.

Currently people are encouraged not to park at Weavers Wharf for more than three hours - paying a top rate of £1.60. Under the new price structure anyone parking over four hours will be charged £10.

Peter Picken, town centre partnership chairman, said the rises could not have come at a worse time.

Shopper Lisa Kellet said: "I think it is disgusting to put the prices up so much particularly with the credit crunch and people buying for Christmas."

Car parking charges at council car parks in Wyre Forest rose by up to a quarter in some cases in October.

A spokeswoman from Henderson Global Investors, which owns the car park, said: "The car park at Weavers Wharf was always meant to be a short to medium term car park to support the local shopping area, in line with its planning consent. Over time however, we found that the low all-day parking rates were being abused by office workers.

She added: "It is important we take action now to reclaim the car park as a short to medium term parking for shoppers."