IN ten years in business, Salisbury shoe repairer Keith Acreman says he has never known such a sharp drop in trade.

“It’s as if someone switched the light off when the new parking charges came in,” he said.

Mr Acreman, who recently extended his premises in Winchester Street, has come up with his own idea to try to counter the impact of what he calls “the parking tax”. He has put up a placard advertising late opening until 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, because the charges stop at 6pm.

He is also offering a more economical range of “savers’ repairs”, for customers who are feeling the pinch.

He added: “I haven’t got a clue who my Wiltshire councillor is, but I know I’m not being represented.”