A YORK city centre pub landlord says he is thinking of selling up because parking restrictions are hitting him so badly.

Willy Leech says takings at the Roman Bath during the late afternoon and early evening are down by as much as 50 per cent.

He believes this follows the introduction of evening charges and new yellow lines preventing on-street parking near the pub, which is situated in St Sampson's Square.

"We used to get families coming in for meals during the early evening, but it isn't happening now," he said.

"If you go up to Monks Cross or the designer outlet centre, it's absolutely packed."

He said he had lost bed and breakfast business, with drivers turning round and vowing never to return.

On one occasion, his karaoke organiser had been given a parking ticket while trying to unload equipment into the pub.

He claimed that an attendant had even tried to book his car as he was trying to get his disabled mother in.

"The way York Council has treated local business people over the parking issue is disgraceful," he said.

"They are forcing business people out. I am thinking of selling up because without customers, we cannot pay our sky high rates.

"I don't think I'm the only licensee that's thinking like this."

The landlord's concerns about the impact of charges and restrictions on early evening trade have been echoed by other businessmen, and seem to be further substantiated by the comments of residents such as Neil Manasir, of York Lakeside Lodges in Dringhouses.

He said he did not think charges were directly affecting his business, but some of his guests had voiced disquiet about them, saying they were a rip-off.

He said: "Personally, I object to the charges and the confusion as to where you can park free. I used to pop into town just after 6 pm for a meal and a film. I no longer do, instead I go to country pubs and the out of town cinema."

Updated: 09:59 Thursday, July 01, 2004