Town centre traders say plans for an increase in parking charges could be “another nail in the coffin” for shops.

Business owners in Sittingbourne High Street fear an extra cost for shoppers venturing in would add to their woes after losing big brands Wilkos and Iceland in the last four months.

Swale council’s Community Committee published a draft parking policy on Tuesday, October 31 which could see a sliding scale of fees to boost revenue in the busiest car parks.

The committee hope the plans will “help balance the increasing costs of operating and maintaining the car parks” while giving residents more choice on payment options.

However, Simon Reynolds, the third-generation owner of A.E. Barrow & Sons Ltd, a bakery which has been in the High Street since 193, says the premiums will be “another nail in the coffin” for small traders.

The 61-year-old added: “An increase could put people off from coming into the town as they will go elsewhere for free or cheaper parking.

"The roadworks around town are even more offputting for customers as people won't sit in traffic to come to the High Street.

"We are lucky as a business to have loyal customers who don't mind paying a little bit extra so most people will still come to us.

"But what we need in the town is decent shops that attract shoppers who come hand in hand with cars and who obviously need to park."

Meanwhile, the owner of Blackbourn TV, Daren Blackbourn, says that an increase in parking charges “won’t help us” but is “just one problem” that the High Street is facing.

He added: “We should focus on bringing people into town by busses again and stop the abuse of disabled parking badges which stop other customers from using the spaces outside our shops.

"Our products take time for people to choose which may mean a parking charge may affect us.

"I think there should be other measures put in place first such as rebates for customers if they purchase something in the high street.

“I wouldn't mind giving £4 or £5 back to a customer if they were spending thousands on a telly.

“Of course, not all businesses would be able to offer this so it should be the choice of traders whether they want to implement such a scheme.”

Halis Koksal, the owner of Swell Cafe for the last 12 years, said the council should be keeping prices down for parking near the High Street to encourage customers.

The 47-year-old, who has owned the eatery for 12 years, added: “Parking should be free in the area around the High Street to boost business.

“There’s been a lot of change with big stores like M and Cos going while nothing opening to replace them.”

Swale currently has the cheapest rates in Kent, charging £1.30 an hour across all short-stay sites in Faversham, Sittingbourne and the Isle of Sheppey.

But the council is the only authority across Kent to lose money on its car parking operations between 2017 and 2022, recording a £220,702 deficit – although it did have a £1.2 million surplus last year.

The draft policy says Swale council could consider “charging different rates per hour depending on the location, popularity and convenience” of car parks.

“It means the most popular car parks could be more expensive which will provide an incentive for people to use the less popular ones,” it adds.

“Daytime charges are currently offered in period bands, but overnight, fixed-priced charging can be considered.

“This will help balance the increasing costs of operating and maintaining the car parks while giving residents more choice of payment options.”

The document also proposes the potential of introducing charges at some of the 19 car parks across Swale that are currently free to use.

To view the consultation in full click here.

Cllr Richard Palmer, who chairs the Community Committee, suggests an increase of 10% in revenue from car parking is the least needed to keep pace with inflation.

He added that the current situation is “unsustainable”.

“What we have to be wary of is the unintentional consequences of changing fees and displacing traffic,” he said.

“That is where the public can help in perhaps identifying something that we have not.

“Of course, no one wants to pay more but there are situations when fees (in free car parks) might work

“For example, some of our free car parks are filled with commuters who park there and walk to the station. It means there’s no room for someone wanting to visit the shops, which is not good for them or traders.

“We also need to be wary of implementing charges that drive vehicles to park in residential streets.”