A SOUTHEND businessman has pulled no punches in telling the council to act now and save High Street trade.

Philip Miller, owner of Adventure Island and Sealife Adventure, tweeted his no-nonsense pleas to Southend Council - and his views on how they can be achieved.

He is particularly concerned in light of Marks & Spencer’s intention to close its Basildon store.

Mr Miller said: “Before we lose M&S #SBC should act now. Reduce parking charges and business rates.

“How to pay for it? Stop wasting money on ridiculous schemes such as Victoria Circus for starters.

“Have a good clear out of the deadwood for seconds.”

However, Southend Council leader John Lamb said Mr Miller’s views were easier said than done.

He said: “We would love to do that.

“We tried to hold parking charges as much as we can but where else do we get the money? Where does he want us to get the money?

“Philip Miller is talking without knowledge. No one wants to see council tax rises or parking charges go up, but where do we find it from?

“The only other way is to cut jobs, but we are already at rock bottom on what we can do to deliver services.”

Mr Lamb added that if Mr Miller wants to hand over £1million to council coffers that would help.

He continued: “We can cut parking charges then!

“As for business rates, we don’t set them. We just collect them for the Government.”

Steve Kohler, owner of the Teddy Station in the Victoria Plaza shopping centre, agreed parking charges can affect businesses.

He said: “The Victoria used to have free parking on a Sunday but they’ve introduced a £1 fee. That’s still good, but parking is an issue.

“We’ve been here nine years and almost half of our business is done on the internet now. We couldn’t rely on passing trade anymore.

“I think the council could help us more in terms of advertising.

“We hoped to advertise a small event, but couldn’t even get that in the council publication.”

The council has reversed a decision to bring in a minimum two-hour stay at all town centre car parks.

The Tylers Avenue and York Road car parks will now keep their one-hour band, as will Seaway in the winter.

The council said it has listened to concerns from residents and from businesses including M&S which benefits from short stay shoppers in nearby Tylers car park.