MITCHELDEAN butcher Kevin Brown says he's lost 15 per cent of his turnover since the introduction of parking charges in the village.

"It started from the exact time they first brought in the car parking charges," said Kevin, whose High Street shop is adjacent to the council-owned car park.

"It's affected all of the small businesses.

"I think the council don't want to see that because they are too focused on the money they are supposedly making from it.

"The car park in Mitcheldean is more than half-empty every day, unless there's a big wedding or funeral on at the church.

"There are four shops on the High Street. The post office will be moving soon so there'll be even less here.

"Who wants to pay to park for the sake of using three shops?"

For more on this story, pick up this week's edition of The Forester.