THE cost of car parking charges is not the only reason for an economic downturn on our High Streets.

That is the view of Nigel Beacon, whose company recently carried out a survey on the state of the Forest's shops.

The report claims our High Streets are on a downward spiral.

It revealed only 14 per cent bought electrical goods in the locality and just nine per cent bought clothes.

A meagre seven per cent bought their furniture in the Forest - proving that people were turning to the internet and other towns and cities to shop.

Some 200 local businesses also took part in a parallel questionnaire, with 38 per cent claiming their turnover had decreased since 2011.

For the full story read The Forester.