Traders despair as new version of 'nightlife tax' hits town centre

Shoppers in Enfield now have to pay £1 for their first two hours of parking on Sundays. Traders say it has damaged a high street that had already suffered in last summer's riots.

They compared it to Westminster's "nightlife tax" plan, for evening and Sunday charges in the West End, which was withdrawn after a huge outcry.

Charges on the other days of the week in Enfield have gone up to £1.50 an hour.

The council says it wants to reduce congestion, increase turnover of parking and encourage shoppers to use "sustainable" forms of transport.

Chris Theodoulou, owner of Emma Claire hair and beauty salon, said: "Our clients say they are avoiding the area because of the astronomical charges. This high street will die. Footfall is down by up to 50 per cent over the past year. We've been here 36 years - the longest surviving independent trader - and I've never known anything like it."

The Sunday charges will raise an estimated £100,000 a year for the Labour council, which admits it needs to "gain additional revenue" because of pressure on finances from government cuts. But Tory councillor Terry Neville said Enfield town centre was particularly vulnerable because of free Sunday parking at nearby shopping centres and along the A10 corridor.

Mr Neville, a former John Lewis director, said: "I've been told that in the two weeks since charges were introduced Sunday trading has already gone down. It is now the equivalent of any other day and it used to be really busy."

In the Commons, Nick de Bois, Enfield North's Tory MP, called on the council to "withdraw its plans, cancel Sunday charges, repeal the increases and help, not hinder, shops and businesses."

Housing minister Grant Shapps said: "It is essential in these incredibly tough times for local authorities to appreciate that hammering the motorist visiting local shops will not be the solution to the area's problems."

A spokesman for Enfield council said Sunday charges had been subject to a full consultation and had already been delayed from their original start date before Christmas.

He added: "There is no straight comparison with Westminster, we are not talking £5 an hour. Our research suggests most people who visit the town centre come by foot or bus."