A CASTLE Street retailer has blamed new pay-and-display charges in Farnham town centre for deterring shoppers and punishing local businesses.

Carl Willson, director of Castle Street Flowers, says trade has noticeably dropped off since the new parking charges were introduced on Monday January 7.

He said: "Business is already rubbish and last year was the worse we've had since opening five years ago, but the parking charges have made it worse.

"There is a lack of atmosphere in Farnham at the moment and increasing the cost of parking was the worse thing they could have done."

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.