RECENTLY I walked to a monthly meeting held in a city centre pub. There were less people attending than usual because they had decided a £7.50 parking charge made the evening too expensive.

This meant that the speaker's fee was less than usual and the pub lost income on food and drink.

I imagine this scene is being played out all over the city's businesses.

The council has been very shortsighted.

Could the council also attend the annoying matrix sign in Bootham that continually displays, and always has done, the fact that there are 400-800 parking spaces available in Union Terrace.

Please switch it off or correct it.

Rita Leaman,

Bootham,

York.

Updated: 11:08 Wednesday, April 07, 2004