The Herald revealed Waverley’s plans for an 18 per cent hike in Haslemere High Street car park last week  – and the president of Haslemere’s Chamber of Trade and Commerce is furious.

Craig McGowan had no idea of the impending increase, which is effective from April 1.

He said: “The price increase is just nuts and I am going to be on the warpath with Waverley.

“Yes the income from car parks is essential but two years ago Waverley took away three income earning bays by building a £40,000 bicycle shed which has only been used by smokers and skaters. 

“If the car park income was so vital, then why take away three parking bays?”

Mr McGowan will be attending a meeting at Waverley in March where he plans on challenging the parking charge increase.

Businesses in Haslemere are worried what the 18 per cent increase, with one hour charges rising from £1.10 to £1.30, will mean for shopping footfall. Davids of Haslemere owner Helen Dylan called the hike “daylight robbery”.