FEARS are being raised that district shopping centre car parks across Southampton will be sold off if plans to develop a current site go ahead.

Scores of traders in Bedford Place shut up shop and turned out in torrential rain yesterday for a 15-minute protest.

It follows controversial proposals unveiled by the city council to sell car parks off Amoy Street and Bedford Place for development.

And business bosses have expressed concern that if civic leaders press on, then similar schemes could follow for car parks in areas like Portswood and Bitterne.

Clifford O'Dell, vice-president of South-ampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce, said: "In my experience, once you start building on one others may follow and that could affect Portswood and Bitterne.

"Once you build on these car parks it's irrevocable.

"The car park in Bedford Place was provided as a result of previous restrictive issues on parking in the area.

"Bedford Place is a very old district shopping centre and a reasonably vibrant one.

"Private traders have an awful job to stay in business these days anyway."

Around 40 protesters brandished placards in their campaign yesterday.

Organiser Susan Penny, owner of the Silver Nutmeg card and gift shop (pictured above), said: "I was delighted with the turnout. It showed how strongly people feel about it."

Barbara Baker, vice-chairman of the Polygon Community Action Forum, said: "We don't want this car park to close. A lot of people have to park in the car park as they can't on the roads."

Their fight is being backed by Southampton Itchen MP John Denham.

He said: "Bedford Place offers city shoppers something different. Most of the shops are independent and not part of national chains.

"It's important that the city council does not do anything to put its survival at risk."

City council chiefs said they would listen to the views of objectors as part of their consultation over the Bedford Place car parks.

A spokesman said: "No decision has currently been taken on Bedford Place and Amoy Street car parks.

"There are no plans for the sale and development of car parks in district centres."