Another victim of Wiltshire Conservative parking policy

It is the role of local authorities to protect the area it works for and offer support to its businesses, especially local businesses. However it is becoming clear that all over Wiltshire, the Conservative run councilhas decided to desert local traders and just concentrate on trying to maximise its own revenue.

A shop owner in Salisbury who has had to close their business because of poor decisions by the Conservative administration has left posters in the store blaming Wiltshire council for its closure.

Lucinda Buddy who ran Lulu's boutique in FIsherton Street said, "the council should be encouraging people to come into the city, not driving them away". She went on to say, "if they carry on like this, they'll just have an empty city that no one wants to go to".

Wiltshire Liberal Democrats have been warning for 2 years about the danger of maximising income through car parking increases. By increasing car parking charges, you run the risk of putting off potential customers who are so vital to so many small and independent businesses.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Wiltshire Council stated, "We have been warning for some time now that the Conservative administration risk destroying businesses on our High Streets, unfortunately this now seems to be happening with increasing regularity".

Brian Dalton Lib Dem Councillor for Salisbury Harnham responded by stating, "We really must listen to local business owners, the Conservative's increase in carpark charges risk choking our local high streets and our local economy"