ANGRY Southampton shopkeepers claim plans to scrap free parking in areas of the city will damage their trade.

Their reaction follows Daily Echo revelations that city finance chiefs want to charge people for using free car parks in Bitterne, Shirley and Woolston for the first time.

It is part of a series of council measures to help tackle a £7.6m cash shortfall in next year's budget which could also see a 15.2 per cent council tax rise and 133 job losses.

The parking charges would raise £315,000 over four years for city coffers as city council bosses struggle to balance the books.

Council leader, June Bridle, said the plans for charging people using the car parks were still "in the melting pot." She added she would be "delighted" to talk with traders to hear their views.

She said: "The first two hours would be free. I don't believe paying 20p to park for three hours to do your shopping would deter people."

But traders claim the planned charges would drive customers away.

Eddie Bhakar from "In Touch" mobile phones in Bitterne Precinct, was shocked at the news. He said: "It is diabolical. The council has already done enough damage in Bitterne. There is no passing trade. There is no Christmas tree and now they are going to scrap free car parking. What is next?"

City chiefs claim that businesses in outlying areas are suffering because commuters are using the free car parks as makeshift "park and rides" leaving shoppers with nowhere to leave their cars.

But their views received scant support from traders in Bitterne and Shirley.

John Penny who owns the Shirley Fruit and Veg Centre in Shirley High Street was a lone voice of support for the council's plans.

He said: "Shoppers just can't park anywhere because the spaces are taken up by people who go to work so I am not really against what the council has to do."

But Lisa McLaren who runs Miller's Florists opposite said parking charges would deter people from shopping in the High Street.

She said: "We have no Christmas lights and the council do not do a lot for Shirley. It is hard to bring people in to shop here. If they started charging people they definitely would not come."

She was backed by Paul Watts, owner of County Locksmiths in Bitterne. He said: "I don't imagine it would have a good effect on our trade. Hopefully, people will still come."

Diana Jenkins of Atherley Cleaners in Bitterne Precinct said: "We haven't got a lot of shops here anyway. If they do introduce these charges people are not going to bother to shop here. They are just going to go into town."