RESTAURANT owners have hit out at new extended parking charges which they fear will make more people stay at home instead of supporting local businesses.

Car parking charges are being extended from 8am until 8pm in all Dorset Council-run car parks from early next year. Parking is currently free after 6pm.

Sunday fees will also be introduced in some towns, as council bosses attempt to claw back some of the £2 million they lost in parking charges during the pandemic.

Shalim Abs, owner of Shalim's Balti House, said: "I thought it was counter-productive for the town as a whole. We are already struggling and everyone is struggling, we should be encouraging more people to support the town but a lot are just not going to come in because of the car parking charges.

"The free after 6pm parking has been brilliant for us because when we are open it is free parking for our customers. But now it is just another reason to not go out. I don't understand the logic behind it at all.

"Everyone has been struggling, it's not just a matter that the council are the only ones struggling. It's just one of those things and the council has to take it on the chin like everyone else."

Bob Rezaei, owner of Crustacean in Weymouth, said: “From 6pm is when our restaurant gets busy and we tell all of our customers that there is free parking in town. It’s really handy for them to park close to the restaurant and not have to pay.

“The council should really be making sure the car parking charges across Dorset are the same price. If they brought the charges in Weymouth in line with that of Dorchester that would be great, but just extending the hours feels like another blow to our industry.

“The free parking after 6pm is beneficial for our customers and people wanting to come into town. It feels like another kick when we’re already down.”

Rory Sage, bar manager at The Loft in Weymouth, said: "We have already lost our late and our evening diners because of the evening curfew, so if there are charges now there will be even less incentive to come.

"They are just trying to grab some extra money from the local population. It's likely to have some negative impact, but I think a lot of people are now coming out specifically to help local businesses so I think the people that want to do that still will even if there are charges."