BUSINESSES today revealed the "devastating" impact of controversial new parking charges in York city centre.

An Evening Press survey has uncovered the full impact of new evening fees and on-street charges.

Restaurateurs revealed evening fees are sometimes hitting trade by up to 50 per cent - with a party of 18 diners blaming the new charges for cancelling a single booking at one restaurant.

Furious traders in areas affected by new on-street tariffs and restrictions said damage to business was already worse than they feared.

Emilio Comito, owner of La Piazza, in Goodramgate, said early evening business had "virtually gone out of the window" following the introduction of evening charges.

Adam Fisher, of nearby The Lime House, reported a 50 per cent slump on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Weekends were as busy as ever, but he highlighted new costs faced by staff travelling to work by car and branded parking changes a "joke".

Peter Taylor, of Go Down Restaurant, in Clifford Street, said diners complained "bitterly" about being hit in the pocket, and a party of 18 women had blamed the charges for cancelling a lucrative booking.

Theatregoers have also threatened to ditch city shows and go elsewhere.

Businesses affected by new on-street pay and display meters and double yellow lines told a similar story, with Micklegate sub-postmaster Paul Abbott claiming that the street had emptied even before newly-installed pay and display meters started operating.

"Customers saw the new meters and just drove off," he said. "Restrictions have been absolutely devastating. During the races the streets are normally packed, but they were empty last week."

He claimed concessions agreed for Micklegate, which cut the cost of an hour's parking to 40p, had made little difference.

He said shoppers were baffled as meters, due to officially start taking cash today, were in place alongside free one-hour parking signs.

"It's worse than we feared. Even with the meters not operating, people don't bother getting out of their cars. All the traders are saying it's bad."

A City of York Council spokeswoman apologised for confusion caused when tape, indicating meters were not in use, was removed and said new signs would be put up. Lisa Topi, Sunshine tanning shop manager, in Micklegate, said: "People don't want to pay extra to park when they are only coming in for a few minutes on the sunbed."

Clair Turner, of Blakehead Book Shop and Caf, said the implications for her of charges were "horrendous".

There were similar worries in Walmgate, with Sharon Mills, therapist at New Moon, claiming meters had stopped people coming into shops, and Brian Fletcher, of Walmgate Post Office, saying trade appeared quieter.

Scratchcard idea approved

TRANSPORT chiefs are considering new measures to make it easier for people to park in York city centre during the evening.

The council believes the scheme could help to ease the problems highlighted in today's Evening Press's survey.

Under the proposals, visitors pre-booking accommodation, theatre visits, or restaurants etc, would be able to get a £1 parking pass as part of their booking, entitling them to park in any of the council's off-street car parks - with the exception of Castle park - for one evening between 6pm and 8.30am.

The pass could take the form of a scratchcard and will be distributed to businesses at a discounted price to send out with their advance bookings. The council's executive agreed yesterday to consult city centre businesses on the proposals before a decision is made whether to implement the scheme.

Meanwhile, executive members agreed a compromise in East Parade by removing the current parking restrictions and reverting back to former on-street parking regulations.

Updated: 10:42 Wednesday, May 19, 2004