A business owner says his “game-changing” plans to build a three-story restaurant have been stifled by hikes in parking charges.

Hassan Hassan, who owns Makcari’s Cafè and Ice Cream Parlour on Herne Bay seafront, says tough economic conditions along with new parking rules have forced him and his brother, Nejmi Hassan, to downsize their ambitious project.

In 2022, the business partners unveiled plans to level their flagship branch, on the corner of Central Parade and William Street, to erect a three-storey building in its place.

It was proposed to house a cafe, an upmarket eatery on the level above and a bar overlooking the sea.

At the time it was heralded as the “largest project the seafront has ever seen” and a “game-changer” for the town, but the pair have now put the brakes on the project, and refurbished the cafe inside instead.

Mr Hassan, who also owns Makcari’s in the bandstand, said: “The rise in interest rates, along with the council putting up parking charges in town have had an impact.

“We’ve seen a massive downturn in business over the last three years, so for those reasons we’ve had to put the project on the back burner.

“We’ve done a full internal refurb, and we’re already seeing a positive impact from that.

“We will assess how things go over the next couple of years and decide where we go from there.”

As part of the annual budget, Canterbury City Council (CCC) voted last month to increase parking charges across the district from April 1, with prices in Herne Bay lots set to rise by as much as 80%.

Across Herne Bay seafront, where Mr Hassan’s businesses are based, hourly rates will increase by as much as £1.20. Neptune car park, Reculver Towers and Reculver will go up to £2.70 an hour with a 10% discount for residents at Neptune.

Meanwhile, some streets that previously offered free parking will now require payment.

Mr Hassan criticised the plans last month, arguing: “In the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, a day at the beach should be an affordable way to entertain your children with a picnic, and now you can’t even do that - it's disgusting.

“In the 25 years I’ve been trading in Herne Bay this is the worst piece of news I’ve ever received.”

Last month the boss of the nearby Kavanagh cinema said the loss of free parking in William Street between 6pm-9pm will make it harder to fill the seats at the venue.

Robert Johnson said: “The council are just knocking another nail in the coffin.

“The evening economy is struggling.

“People like to watch a film after a day in town or after a nice meal in a restaurant.

“Now they’ll just stay at home, get a Deliveroo and stream something.”

CCC’s cabinet member for transport, Cllr Alex Ricketts (Lib Dem), said the authority had no choice but to increase charges.

“Under no circumstances did I want to put prices up in any way shape or form,” he said.

“That’s always going to be the first point – how can we limit what the impact will be?

“But we do find ourselves in a financial situation that we have to do this, and we do have to raise revenue.

“I think what we’ve tried to do and what the team have done brilliantly is try to introduce some changes where we mitigate those rises as much as possible across the district.”