TRADERS fear their customers will be driven away if town centre parking charges are introduced.

Congleton is one of several towns in which Cheshire East Council wants to start charging shoppers and workers for spaces.

The plan aims to bring the area in line with the former Crewe and Nantwich and Macclesfield boroughs.

But business owners have told The Sentinel they think it will have a negative impact in a town where people can currently park for free.

Anthony Cronin, whose wife Karen owns outdoor store All Seasons, on High Street, said: "There is nowhere to park in Congleton, so charging people to park would make parking better but things worse for traders.

"The rates are expensive for shopkeepers so if they had to pay to park on top of that it would not be good.

"With so many shops shut, it is hard to get people to come into Congleton already."

Sarah Jackson, owner of The Potting Shed Florists, on Bridge Street, believes the changes are being brought in at the wrong time.

She said: "I understand it has got to be done, because everywhere is pay-and-display now, but if they hold back until the new shopping development is done that would be much better."

Fellow Bridge Street trader Alan Farrar, owner of A&A Music, said: "Most people would rather pay more in petrol and travel somewhere that has free parking, like out of town shopping centres, than to pay for it."

The plans for Congleton include charging motorists 30p for up to an hour, 50p for one to two hours and £1 for two to three hours to park at Antrobus Street, Princess Street, Roe Street and at the Fairground.

Long-stay car parks would be at Back Park Street, Chapel Street, Ropewalk, West Street and Park Street.

They would charge 50p for up to one hour, £1 for one to two hours and £1.50 for two to three hours.

Blake Street/Edgerton Street, Rood Hill, Royle Street and Thomas Street would remain free.

Around 40 people attended a consultation event about the plans at Congleton Town Hall last night.

One Congleton resident who went along was Morrisons worker Jean Parry.

The 66-year-old, of Cheshire Drive, said: "We all thought it was a sham because it seems like a done deal."

Councillor David Brickhill, portfolio holder for environmental services at Cheshire East Council, said he thought the event had been useful.

He said: "Those that were there were opposed to the idea of charging for parking but they did make some very helpful suggestions, such as cycleways."