DEAR city shopkeepers: I’m really sorry I haven’t visited a single store in Brighton or Hove for the past year.

It’s not that I don’t want to buy from you – far from it.

I simply cannot afford to park in Brighton and shop in your stores.

Even though I live locally, these recent increases in parking charges now mean it’s cheaper for me to visit your competitors in Lewes, Eastbourne, Worthing, Chichester... in fact, anywhere but Brighton or Hove.

I’m sorry – Brighton and Hove city councillors have made their position clear; they believe a parking space is more desirable than the products you sell. They are wrong, of course; it’s not.

I’d also love to visit the various Open Houses this year as part of the city’s May festivities, and support local artists and craftsmen.

But, sadly, the cost of parking for 15 minutes at each location means I’d spend far more on parking than on their arts and crafts.

Would I come back? Yes, in a heartbeat. But Brighton and Hove City Council would first have to accept that it’s role is only to control parking spaces.

The council has to abandon its current parking policy, which seems greedy and alienates the public.

Anthony Prior, Hove Park, Hove

JUST like Tim Slater (Letters, May 5), my wife and I visit Brighton, though not as frequently as it seems he does.

On a recent trip, we parked in London Road car park.

When we came to pay we were charged £8 for five hours and 17 minutes of parking. It used to cost £4.50 for up to six hours.

I thought that was bad enough, but £8? This isn’t as high as in Mr Slater’s letter, though; he cited £6 for two hours and £10 for four hours.

Like Mr Slater, we decided not to visit the city any more.

I’m telling everyone where I work in London not to have a day out in Brighton and to go elsewhere.

It’s a shame because we used to eat, shop and generally spend a fair bit of money.

But not any more – sorry.

Paul Cross, Oakwood Road, Burgess Hill