Increased parking fees have not stopped people from going to the shops, a leading councillor has suggested.

Some shopkeepers and opposition councillors have said Wokingham Borough Council’s decision to increase its car park charges has meant they’re seeing fewer customers come through their doors.

Prices in council-owned car parks were increased in July. Conservative councillor Alison Swaddle said some shops have come “close to shutting” as a result.

She said: “Local business owners already fear for the future as customers choose to go elsewhere to avoid paying the highly increased car park charges in our towns.

“Several are close to shutting and some already have citing lack of footfall brought about by the large parking charge increases as a major contributor to their demise.”

READ MORE: Bracknell town centre parking charges to increase

Yet Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Fishwick, responsible for roads and travel, said car park ticket sales figures don’t back that up.

He said that shops across the country were struggling because of the cost of living crisis – but that car park fee increases in Wokingham don’t seem to have been a factor.

Councillor Fishwick said: “In times such as these it is sad but not surprising that some shops are struggling across the country. However here in Wokingham Borough our initial findings suggest they are not struggling due to the car parking charge changes.

“Early data shows usage of our car parks has actually gone up since the charges increase. These preliminary figures show it is certainly premature to suggest footfall has been hit by parking charge changes.”

Councillor Swaddle also asked if the council would consult residents before introducing any on-street parking costs.

Speculation that the council could introduce on-street parking meters arose after plans were reported to have appeared briefly on the council’s website.

Councillor Swaddle said: “We understand that Liberal Democrat councillors are well advanced in putting together proposals to implement on-street parking charges in Wokingham town centre, including identifying sites for the kerbside payment machines.

“Will you carry out a full consultation with residents before you make a decision on such proposals?”

But councillor Fishwick said there were no “detailed plans” to introduce on-street parking charges “at the present time.”

He said the leaked web page was in fact a “mock-up” that had been created as part of earlier work looking into the possibility of bringing in on-street parking charges.

He added that if council leaders did plan changes in the future, they would have a full public consultation before making a final decision.