A KENDAL businessman who is shutting up shop after four successful years has criticised "unimaginative" road chiefs for stifling trade in the town.

Rob Cocker, who owns the restaurant and bar Eclectic in Kirkland, said a lack of imagination and foresight on traffic issues such as the town's restrictive one way system and parking availability was costing Kendal's economy millions of pounds.

His comments follow claims made by several town traders in last week's Gazette that alterations to the town's traffic system in 2002, persistent road works and rising overheads has forced some to close and others to struggle for survival.

The claims have been vehemently denied by Cumbria County Council, who argue internet shopping, out of town shopping centres and a lack of disposable income among residents are the primary reasons for why trade is down.

But Mr Cocker, whose businesses is located in the Kirkland and lower Highgate area where eight business premises stand empty, told the Gazette that highways chiefs should be more open to suggestions to boost the town.

He suggested the reinstatement of two-way traffic along Kirkland, Highgate and Aynam Road to make the town more easily accessible and a review into car parking charges, possibly introducing free car parking in some areas, to tempt shoppers and their cash back to the town.

"The situation is costing the town millions," said the former Kirkland Partnership member who was instrumental in organising the Kirkland Festival, a major event aimed at boosting the image of the area.

"They (highways chiefs) don't think about the traders but you can't tell people in positions like that they have got it wrong.

"It's not affected me much I've done well over the last few years and have reached a point where I can't take the business any further but I can see why other businesses are struggling."

"All it needs is a bit of forward thinking."

However, area support manager for CCC, Stuart Pate, said that it was wrong to solely blame the traffic system and parking issues for a downturn in trade.

He argued that traffic alterations in 2002 which the South Lakes Federation of Small Businesses, backed by 105 town businesses, warned could damage trade had been meant to improve the retail and town centre environments and attract shoppers to the town amid tough competition from nearby towns and cities.

The popularity of internet shopping, the arrival of out of town shopping centres, and a drop in disposable income in an area which has suffered heavy job losses in the past few decades and which has an high elderly population, were also cited as major reasons for dwindling trade in the town by Mr Pate.

Instead he said that CCC, South Lakeland District Council and traders should work together to ensure trade in the town improved by sharing ideas.

"We need to recognise the strengths that we have in Kendal," he said.

"There are a lot of people with ideas and an opportunity to work closely together.

"It should not be about blame or name calling."

Mr Pate also argued that car parking was "competitively" priced compared to towns in the area.

He also said that, according to CCC figures, the number of car parking tickets being purchased in the town had remained constant over the past three years.