OSWESTRY RETAILERS today raised fears people would be hit hard in their pockets or spend less time in the town if car parking charges rise.

Yesterday it was revealed Oswestry Town Council is considering increasing parking charges for the Central, Horsemarket and Smithfield Street car parks.

If the proposals, which will be discussed by the council’s markets and car parks committee tomorrow, are approved it would see charges rise by 10p for an hour while there would be an increase of £3 for more than six hours on the three car parks.

But retailer Yossi Gliksman, from Upstairs Downstairs, said charges would hit workers.

He said: “At £5 a day people who work six days a week have to pay at least £30 a head. If that goes up again it will really hurt the worker.”

He suggested the council review the entire charging system to include a “pay on exit” scheme allowing shoppers to stop clock-watching while in town.

He also believes workers should get a special parking area and discounts.

Wendy Unwin, from The Gates in Church Street, said: “The car parks need a total change. They should be managed with a pay on foot system.

“If parking charges increase people may not pay as much and then will spend a shorter time in the town because the money is running out on their ticket.”

Jessie Miller, a spokeswoman for campaign group OS21, hoped the increase was part of a bigger plan to encourage usage of all town car parks.

Glenys Davies, town council facilities manager, said charges were rising as they had not the year before.

The cost of a two-hour stay could rise from 70p to 80p and between two hours and four hours could rise from £1.50 to £2. A stay of four to six hours could be £3 instead of £2.30.

The charge for a stay longer than six hours could rise from £5 to £8.

On Horsemarket Car Park the proposed increases are the same as for Central and Smithfield Street car parks, except for the tariff for a stay of between one and two hours remaining at 70p.

By Chrissy Symmons