MOTORISTS are to be hit in the pocket with an increase in Eastleigh town centre parking charges, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Traders fear the hike of up to 20 per cent could mean a loss of business if the council backs a move to bring in fresh charges from March 7 next year.

Tonight, Eastleigh Council's powerful executive Cabinet will be recommended to keep the 60p charge for parking up to an hour - but all other fees are set to rise if civic chiefs signal the go-ahead for charges which already bring the council in more than £1m a year.

The price for up to two hours' parking would go up 20p to £1.20, up to three hours would rise 20p to £2, up to four hours would increase from £2.50 to £2.80, and the all-day charge would rise from £5 to £5.50.

A quarterly car parking permit would go up from £200 to £240 - but councillors are being recommended to stick with the £60 penalty charge, which is reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days.

But traders are warning that increases could pose a major threat to the viability of shops in the town.

Gary Collins, manager of Burton in Market Street, said: "It will kill the businesses in Eastleigh - and it will hit the smaller ones tremendously.

"I feel that out of town shopping centres are doing very well because of free parking. If the council would make parking free for the first couple of hours, more people would come to the town.

"Many people are not shopping here because of the parking. We have a nice town with quality shops but the council seems to be acting with blinkers on."

Jim Bassett, manager of watch shop Bassetts in Market Street, said: "I'm worried that it might affect visitors to the town - and we are already known for having traffic wardens that are quite strict."

Annette Sibley, manager of Oswald Bailey in Market Street, said the proposed rises were quite steep and added: "It depends on how long people are parking for as to whether it has a drastic effect."

Bryan Underdown, manager of Centre Security, also in Market Street, said: "I don't think it will make a big difference for most shoppers, but it seems silly that this is where Eastleigh's going."

In a report by finance chief Nick Tustian, executive councillors will be told: "This council has always tried to maintain lower levels of short stay charging to try to compete with the other town centres.

"It should be noted that Eastleigh's two-hour charge level is lower than Fareham, Southampton and Winchester, although the one-hour or three-hour charge are now the same and the four hour tariff the highest."