A LEADING Consett businessman says his council's policy on car parks is hurting his trade.

Gary Thackeray, owner of Thackeray's Butchers in Front Street, believes a parking shortage is driving his customers elsewhere.

He feels the problem is due to people who work in the town taking up all the spaces, and wants Derwentside District Council to bring in restricted parking zones to combat the problem.

"Car parking in Consett at the moment is absolutely atrocious," he said.

"Numerous customers and friends have told me they cannot get parked in the town centre, even before 9am.

"That shows it must be people who work in the town that are taking up all the spaces.

"If the council did something about restricting it, so people had to walk five minutes to work, there would be more than enough spaces for shoppers."

He said businesses have felt the pinch since a temporary town centre car park closed to make room for the new Wetherspoons pub.

Alex Watson, leader of Derwentside District Council, said a scheme to restrict parking had been put forward in the past, but was greeted with hostility by Consett Chamber of Trade.

"The council would be happy to consider a move to restrict parking in certain areas to a couple of hours," he said

"I have no doubt it would increase trade in the town. But we would need the full support of the business community."