TOURISTS and seafront visitors will be expected to cough up more to pay to park across the city under new plans described as a “body blow” for firms in Southend.

Visitors to the core seafront zone 1A parking bays, who currently pay parking charges to 6pm, will have to pay up to 9pm under Southend Council budget proposals.

This will be on top of the 10 per cent increase in parking fees.

The only exception will be the Cliffs Pavilion and Shorefield Road car park in Westcliff which will remain chargeable to 6pm only.

Seafront entrepreneur, Philip Miller, has criticised plans to increase parking charges as “another body blow” to firms in Southend.

Mr Miller, chief executive of Adventure Island, said more understanding was needed of the pressure businesses are under.

He said: “These proposed increases just reflect the lack of understanding the authorities have re business and the affordability factor of the general public.

“Southend must be one of the most expensive places to park anywhere amongst the coastal resorts.

“I wonder if they should also consider including the high street and Leigh Broadway in pushing for extra revenues. Why is it always the seafront that is forced to carry the burden?

“I wouldn’t mind so much but for the last ten years I have been pleading with them to increase parking capacity, I have personally walked the seafront and shown them hundreds of potential spaces that only need a few white lines painted.

“They have literally missed out on millions of pounds of free money.

“The big question is, are the council serious about promoting tourism or not? “Would they prefer me to build flats rather than rides?”

Tony Cox, leader of opposition Conservative Group said: “These parking charges and others like increased charges for the pier just say “don’t visit Southend”.

“They have had to spend an extra £800,000 on extending the waste contract. We wouldn’t have these increases if they got their house in order. It’s sheer incompetence.”

Stephen George, Labour leader of the council, said: “Council budgets nationwide have seen unprecedented pressures in recent years, combined with a 90 per cent reduction in our main Government grant over the past ten years.

“This means that every year as a council we must become more financially self-sufficient and rely more heavily on income we can bring in locally.

“Fees and charges make up an ever-increasing portion of the council’s income, but we understand that our residents are also facing an increase in their cost-of-living, we have tried to balance these difficult choices and strive to provide value for money.

“By purchasing the Southend Pass for example, which makes parking around the city so much more convenient and offers exceptional value to our residents.”

The draft budget will be considered by the council’s cabinet on Thursday.