TRADERS have hit out at changes to car park charges which will see the cost of vaunted special offers rise by 25 per cent.

In summer 2009, amid a blaze of publicity, Colchester Council launched a series of offers including £2 for drivers parking at some town centre car parks between 10am and 3pm, or after 3pm.

But 18 months later, these charges are to be increased to £2.50 as part of an overhaul of car park fees.

Iain Wicks, chairman of North Essex Federation of Small Businesses, described the changes as “appalling”.

He said: “This demonstrates a lack of understanding for the economy and contempt for the small business community.

“At a time when Colchester town centre has lots of empty shop units, this is a real kick in the teeth.

“I think they have to go back and consult with the community at large.”

Under a new short-stay offer, visitors to St Mary’s and St John’s multi-storey car parks will pay £1 for up to 30 minutes or £2 for an hour-long stay, from Sunday to Friday.

However, commuters are to be encouraged to use public transport or cycle to work, with the four to nine-hour tariff effectively being scrapped.

They will now have to pay more for any stay longer than four hours, with prices rising from £4.90 to £6 at Butt Road, Middleborough, Sheepen Road and Sportsway.

Steve Miller, who runs Miller Stationery in St Botolph’s Street, said the £2 special offers had worked really well.

He said: “I don’t really see why we should have a 25 per cent increase.

“None of the shops can afford to put their prices up 25 per cent – they would be out of business.”

While the town’s parking services are still expected to make a multi-million pound profit this year, income is currently about £500,000 less than expected.

Martin Hunt, councillor responsible for street and waste services, said he looked carefully at the changes, including the 50p special offer rises, but was convinced by traders they would not overly harm business.

He said: “We have talked to traders and shoppers, and they felt putting it up to £2.50 wouldn’t make any difference because it was a sufficiently good deal anyway.

“Having said that, I wouldn’t do it unless there was a deficit to fill.”

Mr Hunt also insisted that contrary to rumour, Colchester was no more expensive a place to park than nearby rivals, such as Ipswich and Chelmsford, and was often much cheaper.

Sue Lissimore, Conservative spokesman for business and tourism, said the council should be encouraging shoppers to spend more time in the town centre, not less.

She said: “I’m concerned about this half hour shopping. They obviously don’t know how women shop.

“We want people to come in and be able to feel they can stay longer, have a cup of coffee and a cake, without having to worry about how much they’re going to be charged at the car park.”