PARKING restrictions which were recently implemented in a Bucks village have been damaging trade, according to some shop owners.

A number of businesses in Flackwell Heath have complained after UK Parking Controls issued 20-minute parking limits in Swains Lane, believed to be at the request of other companies.

Catering shop Rounds Sandwiches and new toy shop Fun Junction have told the Bucks Free Press they are concerned the restrictions will hamper their business.

Jane Davies the owner of Fun Junction said she was surprised to see the signs erected just weeks after she moved into the premises, having not been told of the decision.

She said: “It was all agreed before my shop came here. The problem is shops like ours and the charity shop are browsing shops and I don’t think 20 minutes is long enough for customers.

“Personally, I think it should be at least an hour, which would stop people parking here all day but would also allow enough time for shoppers.

“We were only opened for a couple of weeks when the sign went up.

“The problem is you don’t know how many people it is frightening off or how much it weighs on people’s minds when they are in the shop.”

Although restrictions have not been placed outside Rounds Sandwiches (which is on the corner of the parade), the companies managing director, Steve Colley, has echoed Mrs Davies by suggesting the signs can often scare-off the passing trade.

He said: “As far as I understand it UKPC have supposedly been asked by all shop owners to have restrictions put in, but that isn’t true.

“The lady in the toy shop wasn’t here when the decision was made and I objected it and therefore there is an arrow to show you can park outside my shop.

“However, this isn’t obvious from the road and some people just don’t drive in now.”

He added one day last week a traffic warden stood out there all day, I watched at least three cars in a short period of time pull in and go again straight away without getting out.

Frackle Fryers owner, Dal Singh, said he didn’t feel strongly about the problem either way but acknowledged he understood why people felt annoyed by it.

Not all of the shop owners were able to comment before we went to press, so it is not known if other businesses were in favour of the parking limits.

UKPC were also unable to comment on who had asked for restrictions to be placed.