TOWN centre trading has been hit by controversial parking charge increases, a business of over a century have said.

Hulsons pie shop, which has been in operation for 136 years, believe their level of business has dropped after Mold car parking charges dramatically increased earlier this year.

In April, charges increased from 50p for 3 hours to £1 for 2 hours.

On Tuesday, the Leader ventured into the town centre to get shoppers, traders and the town council's views on the controversial changes.

Saffron Hulson, employee at Hulsons pie shop is concerned that the charges are having a negative impact on local traders.

She said: ''We've definitely seen an impact on business, the car park round the corner is half as full as it used to be.

''There's been a noticeable decrease in customers as they used to come specially for pies, but why would you want to do that if you have to pay a pound for 5 minutes of parking your car?

''There needs to be a lower price for short stays, otherwise everyone is going to end up going to places like Broughton shopping park.''

Irene Hollingworth from Rhes-Y-Cae said: ''It's absolutely ridiculous and frankly disgusting, you go to places like Holywell and it's 30p.

''My husband won't park here anymore. There's pot holes everywhere and we're paying a pound to park for 2 hours? If you park here to work you're paying £7.50 a week, that's too much coming out of your wages in my eyes.''

Jan Hindley, from Great Sutton near Ellesmere Port was visiting for the day.

She added: ''Last time I came here I paid just 20p. I fully understand that the council needs money but paying £1 to get your shopping seems extortionate to me.

''With some other car parks around being free, I'd consider going elsewhere for my shopping and I'm sure other people feel the same so it will affect the local business greatly.''

Leanne Harris from Connah's Quay was understanding of the increase in parking charges.

She said: ''At the end of the day the money is going back into the community and the council have got to get money from somewhere with so little coming from central government.''

Ceris Ferrer from Leeswood took a diplomatic approach to her answer.

She said: ''I'm very disappointed to see the increase in charges but the council are so short of money what else can they do?

''They're obviously not receiving enough money from central government and we need the pot holes filling and our libraries kept, so what else is there to do other than increase the charges?''

Dave Hill, Mold Council Town Centre Manager, said: ''Disappointed not to have been consulted by Flintshire Council on the increased parking charges.

''The shortening of the stay doesn't provide sufficient dwelling time in the town centre. Flintshire Council have agreed to look at the charges as part of their review process.

''While many shopper visiting Mold from further afield believe is cheap to park, locals are not popping into Mold as much as they were, they perhaps come twice a week whereas they used to come 4 to 5 times a week and that is a major concern.

''But Mold continues to buck the trend for the success of indepedent businesses and the town council is passionately concerned that Mold's success in this regard is maintained.''