A TRADER has raised concerns about Idle being "like a ghost town" and shared a stark picture showing its empty car park - after Bradford Council brought in charges.
Idle car park, which is situated near The Green, used to be free to use - but Bradford Council introduced a charge of £1 an hour last week.
Emily Beaton, who runs Miss Butterfinger's tearoom in The Green, posted the above picture on Facebook and also shared it with the Telegraph & Argus.
She said the image of the deserted car park was taken on Tuesday "during what should be the lunchtime rush in a little village".
"Since Bradford Council started charging for parking in Idle, it has killed the trade," Emily added.
"This once bustling village is now like a ghost town."
She said she had baked a display full of cakes on Tuesday but "there wasn't a soul around".
"Please support your local businesses, including my little tearoom," she urged.
The T&A put the concerns to Bradford Council and a spokesperson said: "Bradford has a number of thriving villages and towns where parking charges have been the norm for many years.
"They play an essential role in the careful management of our rural and urban centres where there is high demand for parking spaces.
"They can help encourage a healthy turnover of vehicles and shoppers to support local businesses.
"We understand the concern people may have on these and other proposals - however, given the financial situation at local authorities across the country, we're having to consider many difficult decisions in the budget.
"Car parks are not free for Councils to maintain.
"Councils have to pay business rates for car parks and pay for their upkeep.
"Having no charges means this is essentially subsidised by taxpayers at the cost of other services."
Shortly after the charges came into force, the T&A spoke to a number of traders in Idle who said they were already experiencing a drop in custom.
One of the business owners, Jodie Walsh, who runs Top Knot clothing shop on Bradford Road, said: "We're raging.
"The Council shouldn't be using the people of Idle as cash cows."
Mick Marshall, who owns Idle Greetings on The Green, said: "Over the years, Idle has been on the way up with plenty of new shops opening.
"This decision has the potential to spell disaster."
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