BANNING cars from Lavant Street in Petersfield has killed the road for businesses, claims an angry trader.

Courtney Winstone says a pop-up shop she opened last week was a commercial disaster.

Courtney said: “I made the decision to take over The Petersfield Space as a pop-up shop after viewing the numerous shoppers who were around the area the week of June 22. But since the council erected the parking cones, trade has completely stopped.

“I had all of two people in the shop all day – and given it was a Thursday, that was unusual.

“I went for a walk because I wondered if maybe Petersfield was quiet in general – but it was not.

“There were numerous people on Rams Walk, where the parking is, but no-one in Lavant Street – as you can see in my photos.

“The parking ban has absolutely killed trade, which is such a shame as it had started up again so beautifully.

“People were being sensible about social distancing and no-one was being pushed into the road, like the council thought would happen.

“As a local I used the Lavant Street 30-minute parking when I needed to nip into shops quickly and didn’t want to have to spend money to pay to park for two hours.

“It was so convenient and I always end up buying more than I had intended to, which is exactly what little local businesses rely on.”

Other shoppers feel the same way.

In a letter to the Post today (see Page 17), Julie Yardley of Petersfield said: “The no-parking policy in Lavant Street has prevented customers who depend on cars from supporting these businesses.

“This is detrimental to the shops which have supported our community so well through a difficult time.

“Why not allow a 15-minute free-parking policy in Lavant Street for those very customers?”