TRADERS whose takings have plummeted this summer are being encouraged to lobby the district council over parking fees.

Town councillor Alan Preest, fellow UKIP member and parliamentary hopeful professor Tim Congdon and shop owner Lyn Callow took to the streets of Lydney on Saturday to talk to traders.

Sheila Taylor, who runs her shop Rainbow in Regents Yard, said her takings had dropped by 50 per cent since the introduction of parking fees.

"People are doing their essential shopping, but they are not staying in town and walking round the shops any more," said Sheila.

"Last month I didn't make enough to pay the rent and it doesn't look like I will this month, either. I don't want to close, but I can't subsidise my business much longer.

"Lydney does not have the attractions and big name stores that Gloucester, Monmouth or Chepstow do. The only thing we had going for us was free car parking."

Chamber of trade chairman Lyn Callow, who runs All About Eve in Newerne Street, said it was clear that car parking charges had caused a drop in trade.

"Traders must get off their backsides and make themselves heard," she said.

"There was a Hands Off Our Towns meeting on Sunday but only five people turned up – only two of them were traders.

"Before the fees were brought in a petition was collected from Lydney, Coleford and Cinderford and it only had 7,000 signatures.

"We should have had that many from Lydney alone.

"I would urge everyone in the town to lobby the council and get under the skins of the people that brought these charges in."