FREE parking bays are being removed from a shopping area days after a massive increase in parking fees.

All 280 free two-hour spaces in a busy part of Hove will become residents-only or pay-and-display within two weeks.

The city council insists the changes are what local people want to help improve parking in the Brunswick and Adelaide area.

But traders today branded the move a bid to cash in on motorists and warned it could cost jobs.

The price of on-street parking rocketed this week, with short-stay rates rising by up to 500 per cent in some areas.

John Hanna, who has owned News Stop in Palmeira Square for ten years, said: "The council is cashing in.

"It has already stopped the parking voucher scheme in favour of pay-and-display, which means we no longer get the extra trade from customers who came in for vouchers."

The changes come into force on September 20 in the Zone M parking area in the eastern end of Hove and are expected to boost the council's income by £3 million a year.

Traders fear the removal of free parking could drive customers to out-of-town superstores.

Sandra Cropper, owner of Florian the Florist in Western Road, said: "If that happens, some of the small specialist shops around here could close and jobs would be lost.

"Some of our customers rely on the free parking to pop in and buy what they want.

"They will not want to risk getting a ticket.

Jean Wybourn, who runs the Palmeira Cafe on the corner of Palmeira Square, disagreed.

She said: "Some people abused the system and parked in the two-hour bays all day. I think making the bays pay-and-display will stop that and encourage more people to come and park here."

Chris Woodley, who owns the Flower Stand in Palmeira Square, said: "They have simplified the system."

The changes were made in response to a survey of residents, many of whom are on lengthy waiting lists for parking permits.