PARKING charges and restrictions are set to cost a York pub thousands in lost takings - after rugby players abandoned it for their post-match celebrations.

York Groves Amateur Rugby League Club says new restrictions and charges make it too expensive and difficult to carry on using the Castle Howard Ox in Townend Street, The Groves, for its knees-ups and committee meetings.

It has now transferred its headquarters to the Black Bull in Hull Road, where there is ample free parking.

The change will start to bite this Saturday, when the club hosts a tournament involving teams from Huddersfield, Wakefield and Bradford - after which up to 150 players and supporters will head off to the Bull, instead of the Ox.

Groves player-coach Simon Moat said players were disappointed to have had to leave the Groves pub, which has been the club's official headquarters for the past seven years.

"But we entertain teams from places like Bradford, Huddersfield and Lancashire, and to expect them to come back afterwards and pay to park was a bit much," he said.

Previously, people could park on the street or in the Union Terrace car park for free on an evening, but now there were on-street meters and charges in the car park. He said many players came four or five to a car, with just one driving and therefore unable to drink.

Graham Dunne, manager of the Castle Howard Ox, said: "I'm not pleased, but there's nothing we can do about it."

He could not say how much the decision would cost him in lost takings, but confirmed it would come to thousands over the year. "They used to come here after every home game," he said.

He said the new restrictions were also affecting passing trade, with insufficient room in his own car park for everyone who might want to park.

A leading York landlady said charges were having a similar impact on other city centre pubs, including hers.

Anita Adams, licensee at the Golden Slipper, in Goodramgate, and a member of the national Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations' executive body, said choir members came for a drink at her pub after rehearsing at nearby St William's College, but were now considering moving out of town.

Such a move would cost her a significant amount of business.

She said: "I feel very strongly about this. York people should not be paying evening charges at all".

Coun Ann Reid, City of York Council's executive member for planning and transport, said on-street parking restrictions had been introduced to ensure that local residents had a better chance of being able to park.

She said rugby players could have used a frequent user pass to reduce the cost of parking regularly in the Union Terrace car park.

The Evening Press' Stop the Highway Robbery petition has so far gathered more than 5,000 signatures.

Updated: 10:30 Thursday, August 26, 2004