LUDLOW Chamber of Trade and Commerce is worried about the potential impact of proposals by Shropshire Council to change parking charges in the town.

The chamber says that the town’s independent traders are facing three major challenges at the same time.

They say that there is already great concern about the planning approval given for an out-of-town supermarket and the threat of a big rise in business rates.

In a statement the chamber of trade has described the supermarket as ‘town centre killing’ and say that important negotiations are still taking place about the business rates valuation.

“Ludlow is a market town, reliant on its stall holders and publicans, its shops and businesses, and is once more under siege,” said Tish Dockerty, secretary of Ludlow Chamber of Trade.

“After the set-back over planning permission for the town centre-killing out-of-town supermarket and still in deep negotiation with the valuation office over the steep hikes in business rates, a third and possibly final blow to the town centre’s future prosperity is being dealt.

The Ludlow Chamber of Commerce represents more than 70 businesses, many of which are based in the town centre.

A petition against the proposed new charges has been launched and people are being urged to take part in the consultation.

“The car parks are owned by Shropshire council who receive the income generated by parking charges and tickets both in these and the on-road parking throughout the town,” added Tish Dockerty.