One of Benfleet's oldest businesses has been forced to close down over a lack of parking restrictions.

Les Baxter, owner of Moores shoe repair and dry cleaning shop in High Road, Benfleet, was furious at Castle Point Council leaders for installing a layby in front of his shop with no parking restrictions - allowing non-customers to leave their cars parked outside all day.

As a result, Mr Baxter claimed his takings were 50 per cent down compared to this time last year. Moores, has been operating in Benfleet for over 50 years but it will close on December 31.

Mr Baxter said: "This is the only free parking area in Benfleet and it is effectively destroying the business. It is stopping customers from coming into our shop because our takings have halved since they installed the off-road parking nearly a year ago.

"I blame the council totally for allowing free unlimited parking in a busy high street. It is ludicrous."

Nigel Thomas, Castle Point's director of highwayssaid: "The layby was put in place at the requests of the shopkeepers themselves. We are aware of the problems of no traffic order restrictions in that area but limited waiting will be in place fairly soon.

"There is in fact an existing traffic order banning parking at the layby during the working day which we are advertising this week to let everyone know about."

Angry - Les Baxter puts the closing down sign outside his store

Picture: ADRIAN CLARKE

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