By Becky Procter

KINGFISHER Centre shoppers and traders are facing a rise in car parking charges from May 1.

The move has angered many traders who, despite paying a concessionary rate, could have to pay up to £1 extra a day to use the centre's multi-storey car parks.

But centre bosses claim the new revised prices will still be very cheap compared to other town centres.

Argos team leader Stuart Kirby said a lot of employees stopped parking in the centre last year.

Tim Rylance, asset manager for Kingfisher Centre owners Thornfield, said: "We had a meeting with retailers last week when they were told about the change in car park charges.

"We have changed the bands and increased prices. Lot of people were coming in and going out before an hour was up but we want to encourage people to stay in the centre longer."

The prices now:

Up to 1 hour 60p

1-4 hours £1

4-5hours £2.50

over 5 hours £5

Prices from May 1:

0-2 hours £1

2-5 hours £2

5-6 hours £2.50

over 6 hours £10

Concession prices:

Internal tenants - 10 per cent increase

Other tenants and outside centre - £4 a day.