The owner of a popular cafe fears his business could be damaged by new car park charges.

Chris Kraszewski runs bustling Carat's cafe and restaurant on Southwick beach.

Customers include Sir Paul McCartney and cult DJ Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, who have homes in nearby coastguard cottages, dubbed Millionaires' Row.

But his regulars are families, fishermen, windsurfers and workers from Shoreham port and the nearby power station.

Until now they have been able to park for free in the adjoining car park owned by Adur District Council.

However, the council is about to turn it into a pay-and-display car park, despite protests from Chris.

He took over Carat's five years ago and has built it up into a busy daytime cafe and evening restaurant.

Chris said: "Adur said 18 months ago that it was going to start charging to park here but they have not consulted us or given us any say in the matter or any thought about how it will affect our customers.

"Without any warning the signs went up this week saying it will be a pay-and-display car park from April to September.

"It is going to affect my customers, my staff and my business if they have to pay to park."

The charges will be 20p for the first hour, then 40p an hour or £2 to park all day. The charges mirror those brought in by Adur for all its public car parks over the past two years.

Chris said: "We go live with our evening restaurant on June 29 and we still don't know what hours the pay-and-display charges will apply.

"I don't know if anyone coming early, between 6pm and 7pm, will have to pay to park or if charges after that time no longer apply.

"I spoke to somebody at Adur last week and asked if they could send me the details. They told me to write to them."

The car park is the only place near the cafe that people can leave their vehicles and Chris is concerned the charges may put people off coming.

He said: "Basin Road South is owned by the Port Authority and they do not let anyone park on it.

There are double yellow lines and signs warning that cars parked there will be towed away.

"My staff will have to pay to park while they are working, as well as the customers while they eat here.

"There are also 50 beach huts here and the owners will also have to pay to park when they use them."

A spokeswoman for Adur council said: "This is the last of Adur's car parks to become pay and display, a policy that was introduced from April, 2004.

"Charging in this car park will be seasonal from April to September.

It is included in the council's car parking orders and making it pay-and-display was always going to be part of the programme.

"People can park for an hour for 40p and because it is a long-stay car park it can be used all day for £2."

Monday, June 19, 2006