Anger at the Worthing multi-storey charges compared with other places was summed up by Mark Needham, manager of Fludes carpet store in Chapel Road: "It's all down to greed, and it's ridiculous," he said.

Mr Needham claimed Worthing's Christmas shopping trade would "certainly" be affected, and customers had told him the charges were stopping them coming into town.

Ade Daniel, of The Lighthouse store in the Guildbourne Centre, said customers had told him it was 40p an hour more expensive than in Brighton. "It doesn't make sense, and people are complaining about it all the time," he said.

Another Guildbourne Centre trader, Gavin O'Brien, of Easyweigh, said: "I've lost a lot of regular customers because of Worthing's parking situation, and my takings have gone down over 30 per cent during the last two years."

Edwin and Pamela Hurcombe, of Gladstone Bags, in Warwick Street, complained about the £2.90 minimum rate for parking in the multi-storeys.

"What we need is an hourly rate," said Mr Hurcombe. His wife said people from the outlying villages like Storrington and West Chiltington were now choosing to go to places like Chichester and Horsham.

Melissa Barnes, manager of the Sussex Stationers shop in Montague Street, said parking charges were not helping at all. "People are now leaving their cars on the outskirts of town and walking in," she said. "But this means they are not buying big items, because it is too far to walk with them."

Natasha Gillham, manager of Ernest Jones jewellers, in Montague Street, said: "Customers have moaned that it is cheaper to park in Brighton. I would like to see prices come down here and make shopping in Worthing more attractive."

A more positive note came from Sean Wheatley, owner of the Him shop in Montague Street. "Business is tough, but I don't think you can hang it on the Worthing parking situation. Overall, our takings are up."

Peter Bennett, president of Worthing Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the present level of NCP charges were "not helpful", but shoppers knew they got good value and a good selection in the town's shops, and that was why they still came into town.

Sharon Clarke, town centre manager, said she would like to see the NCP charges reduced further, but "let's look at the positives".

Mrs Clarke said hourly parking was still available on the surface car parks, and the surface car park at Teville Gate offered parking at 80p for two hours, and all day for £4.

"A parking charge of £5 for four hours in the multi-storeys is the same price as Crawley, Chichester short-stay and Brighton, so Worthing is more competitive as a shopping and visitor destination," she added.

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