I HAVE never been involved in retail so I do not have much of an insight into the problems faced by those whose livelihood is in selling.

The mere mention of the possibility of an increase in car park charges is bound to stir up opposition.

It was interesting that the first complainants were not motorists but the town’s tradespeople.

I am not so sure that increasing car park charges – unless they are absolutely huge – will have much of an impact in terms of deterring shoppers from using the car parks and doing their shopping in town.

The main concern for shopkeepers, I think, is the popularity of online shopping.

 Neither do I have experience in administering public services but I do sympathise with our local politicians who have the responsibility of providing essential services with decreasing amounts of money.

 As a motorist, I have a long history of complaining about the ever-rising costs of running a car, starting when petrol cost half-a-crown per gallon (i.e. 12½p for 4½ litres) to say nothing of insurance premiums but I have continued to drive despite all that.

Every increase produced the prediction that motoring would become less and less affordable to the point where public transport would be the obvious and attractive alternative.

Judge for yourself how accurate those predictions have proved to be.

Will the proposed charges be the exception to the well-established pattern of little effect on motorists’ behaviour?

Traders, take heart.

You may not notice any difference!

Franklyn Bovey

Brimscombe