RETAILERS in Huddersfield fear that plans to stop free Sunday parking will damage town centre trade.
Kirklees Council plans to introduce parking fees in all on-street and council-run car parks from June.
Charges will start after noon on Sundays and will be 50p an hour or £1 for four hours.
Retailers fear the halting of free parking could reduce the number of people heading into town for a casual browse round the shops.
The new charges come after the council has already raised Monday to Saturday fees by 40%.
Daniel Lepine, manager of Jessops camera shop on New Street, said charges could drive shoppers to out-of-town centres.
He said: "I live in Sheffield and at Meadowhall they have free parking. It's very easy to get to, being near the motorway. Town centres are already under competition from places like that. Maybe if people don't want to pay for parking they may go elsewhere."
Anne-Marie Richards works on the Bliss jewellery stall in the Kingsgate centre.
She said: "I think it will have an effect. Free car parking is one of the reasons people come into town on Sundays."
Vicky Smith, supervisor at Holland and Barrett health foods on New Street, said parking charges would reduce their passing trade.
She said: "I think it would knock trade down. We get a lot of passing trade from people who've come to have a look around places like Primark. Some people might think just having a look is all right if parking is free, but might not bother if they have to pay. Our customer level would drop."
