Evening visitors to Kingston will have to pay an extra £1 to park in some of the town centre’s car parks from next week.

Kingston Council will increase the flat rate evening parking charge for its car parks from £2 to £3 from Monday, November 25.

The changes will effect the Ashdown Road, the Bittoms, Canbury Place, Cattle Market, Neville House, Thameside and Rose car parks. 

But business leaders have warned the increase could drive people away at a time when the town is trying to encourage more late night shoppers.

Jerry Irving, chief executive of Kingston Chamber of Commerce, said: "Anything that could potentially have a detrimental effect on trade is unlikely to be welcomed by businesses here.

"The cost of parking in the town centre is not insignificant already, and people will look at any additional cost to their experience closely.

"If it was me and there was the option of travelling a bit further but saving one or two pounds in parking I might be tempted." 

But councillor Simon James, lead member for strategic transport, defended the increase.

He said: “We review all parking charges from time to time and have to benchmark ourselves against what commercial operators are doing in the town centre and also what rival town centres are doing.

“The rate is still lower than it is during the day, and the machines are programmed so that nobody gets stung by a higher hourly rate if you go over from day to night.

"From memory I think it is still quite a bit cheaper than Wimbledon, and we have a better retail offer."

The increase comes into force at a time when many retailers are staying open later for post-work Christmas shoppers – and some businesses, such as the Bentall Centre, have taken a different view on parking charges during the festive season.

Bentall Centre marketing manager Kirsty Crawford said: "We can understand that there may be a financial rationale for increasing parking charges, but at the Bentall Centre we have taken the view that we want to encourage people to shop late and that’s why we are offering free parking in car parks A and B from 5pm."

Is the parking increase justifiable and will you pay it? Letters@surreycomet.co.uk