The multi-storey Barrack Street car park is reserved for county council employees on weekdays but traders this week launched a petition calling for an end to the restrictions following a series of critical letters published in the Courier.

Shopkeepers and members of Warwick Chamber of Trade are aiming to collect signatures from residents as part of a campaign to allow shoppers and tourists to use the car park, which they say would increase trade.

There are currently 263 long-stay spaces at the multi-storey, which are taken up by council staff on weekdays.

Terry Dyer runs Rumps The Butchers in Brook Street. He said: "I have spoken to around 120 customers who have said they agree with me and believe the car park should be used for shoppers.

"I am not against the council providing free parking for staff as a lot of my customers are employees there.

"But with the pressures put on traders over the last ten years due to the increase of out-of-town shopping centres, for them to utilise such a prime spot is distasteful."

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Mr Dyer believes the money from pay-and-display charges could be put to good use by the council, which recently agreed its lowest council tax rise in a decade.

He added: "Even saving one floor for shoppers would be good.

"We are creating a cafe culture in the town, which is good, but if we are creating that then we the people have got to be able to park somewhere for more than half an hour and which is only 200 or 300 yards from where we want to be."

There are currently parking restrictions in the town and long-stay visitors are directed to car parks out of the centre, including St Nicholas Park.

Council chief executive Jim Graham explained changes could not be made overnight.

He said: "Is charging staff for parking something we are looking into? Yes, however there is a big problem. It's not just Warwick that's the issue. We have 803 separate buildings that the county own or lease.

"If we introduce car parking charges for staff there we need to do it at all buildings.

"The other long-term issue is whether we keep the building itself as it is so ugly. There are complaints that it is ugly and an eyesore and people don't like it. But then what do we replace it with?"

Mr Graham believes council employees are good for the town's economy. He added: "A lot of staff are going into all these shops and giving them custom.

"I would guarantee that if we exited the town and relocated elsewhere traders would notice a difference."

Chamber of Trade chairman Sue Butcher said: "We have been asking for years for access to Barrack Street and trying to get better signs into it so people are aware it is open to the public in the evenings and at weekends.

"If shoppers were able to use the town centre car park in the week it would make a huge difference."