Businesses in Horsham fear a car park increasing its charges by 294% will reduce footfall in the town centre.

Twelve car parks will see an increase on Sundays of at least £2.20 from April next year – but Piries Place in the town centre will see the largest rise from £1.70 to £6.70 to park all day.

For the Monday to Saturday increases, the council will add between 10p to 30p on a stay of up to two hours.

Horsham District Council said the increase is the first in two years but it had to make “tough decisions” to avoid cutting essential services.