Ludlow Market traders hit by parking controls

Stallholders at Ludlow Market, which dates back to the 11th century, are up in arms over changes to the permit system brought in this month.

They used to be able to park in Mill Street or Dinham, just a minute's walk from the market, for just £1 a day. But Shropshire Council has now limited on-street parking spaces to just a handful outside the Guildhall – and quadrupled the price for a new 'premium' permit to £4 to park there or on Castle Square, the closest car park.

It means most traders have taken to parking their cars on The Linney, which is free but a 15 minute walk away. They are concerned about losing business while they are walking to and from their cars and also about the possibility of thieves striking while they are away.

Mark Lavers, who runs a burger van at the market, said: "I'm here from 6.30am and I have customers from that time, so I am losing business while I am not at the van walking to and from the Linney. It came into force at the start of April and we've already had two people quit the market, and they were two, good high-quality stalls as well.

"The stupidity of it all is that the spaces we used to use are empty all day but we are now being told we can't use them. It could kill the market."

Andrew Smith, who runs a clothes stall, is worried about theft. He said:?"There are a lot of unscrupulous people about who, if they wanted to, would be able to log your comings and goings . We are having to be away from our stalls for 15 to 20 minutes at a time now."

Shropshire Council had not responded to a re-quest for comment at the time of going to press.