TRADERS fear they will be left thousands of pounds out of pocket when a well-used free car park closes.

The owner of the former Focus DIY car park, at Tarpots, Benfleet, has served Castle Point Council with one week’s notice to vacate, after a buyer came forward for the store.

Traders fear the loss of the free car park will cost them business and will lead to traffic chaos on side roads off Rushbottom Lane.

Investment firm Olswang, which owns the store, would not confirm who the new buyer was, what the land would be used for or when development was likely to start.

Jason White, of JD Cycles at Tarpots, said: “It is going to be an absolute nightmare “We have had no correspondence from the council to let us know what is happening.

“When the car park shut a few years ago it caused absolute carnage. The access way at the back of the shops was blocked with cars and it caused problems for residents living nearby.

“Some businesses here lost thousands of pounds of trade.”

Staff at La Boom hairdressers at Tarpots said the closure would affect their clients.

A spokesman said: “There is car parking nearby, but it is only for an hour.

“Last time the car park closed, the access road used to become blocked with cars, which is worrying because if something happened, emergency vehicles would not be able to get through.

“Closing the car park is going to affect all of us.”

The loss of the car park comes at a time when the council is looking to scrap free parking at 13 other car parks across the borough, to the anger of local traders.

A spokesman for Castle Point Council said it was still investigating the matter.