Costly parking hurting shops

I HAVE to respond to Mr Watts’ comments about parking charges in Ashbourne.

What planet does he live on – Planet Matlock?

I live and work in Ashbourne and I see on a daily basis the falling footfall through town.

This could be attributed to a lot of things, such as online shopping, the better choice of shops elsewhere – but mostly people moan to me on a daily basis about the expensive cost of parking.

How come Newcastle and some places in Derby can offer free parking on a Sunday?

The council should be engaging with shopkeepers, helping them get through these tough times.

And talking of footfall, RBS are closing because of poor footfall.

The Artisan Market has stopped trading because of poor footfall – and I know the lady who has a craft fair in the Town Hall every Saturday. She has gone down to one craft fair once a month – again because of poor footfall.

So I am sorry, Mr Watts, you don’t know what you are talking about. R Hill Green Road, Ashbourne