A BUSINESS owner has criticised Southend Council for its parking policies in light of a neighbouring town offering free parking to boost the economy.

Basildon Council has introduced free car parks in certain locations across the borough at weekends - while Southend has increased parking charges.

Stockvale boss Philip Miller, who owns Adventure Island among other attractions, said more needs to be done to get tourists and shoppers flocking to Southend.

He said: “All high streets have tremendous competition these days from out of town centres which are all free car-parking.

“It makes sense that if you wish to compete free parking is a bare minimum required.

“To increase parking charges just shows Southend Council either doesn’t understand or couldn’t care about our high street.

“Regarding the seafront it is not so much the charges as the real lack of spaces on any sunny day winter or summer although I know the two hour minimum charge imposed has lost the high street and seafront many customers.

“It is amazing when you hear officers spouting we only have a problem a few days a year. So far this year, which has been a shocker, we have already clocked up six of those gridlock days. It is obvious that they do not have a good view from their ivory towers in Victoria Avenue of what really goes on.”

The team from Rossi’s is now starting a petition against changes to parking charges in town. Manager Trina Devine said: “The parking charges are causing a lot of problems for us seafront traders. Many of our regular customers are refusing to pay for two hours because they only want one.”