THE following is typical of what customers tell me on a daily basis.

A mother and daughter customer came in on Monday, regular customers who visit Cirencester maybe four times a year.

The daughter drives from Cambridgeshire and the mother also from a distance, both leaving their homes in the early morning.

They love coming to Cirencester with all the independent shops.

Sadly, today they could only spend the morning together, missing out on lunch, other shopping and afternoon tea.

The reason? Every long stay car park was full. They both drove around for ages looking for spaces but could only find short stay and even that was at a push. Are they likely to return to Cirencester? I very much hope so.

A husband and wife customer from Oxford today told me that they used to regularly stop in Woodstock but do not go there anymore because the local authority did something strange with the parking.

Today they were able to park just for one hour in the Brewery for their Cirencester visit.

People want to be made welcome here. They want to come here for the day. There is plenty to do and see.

This is a lovely town and is a meeting place. The inadequate car parking provision and overzealous parking enforcement are acting as a deterrent.

This town’s appeal is waning and needs a radical and urgent review before it is too late and people stop coming.

ANNA OFFORD

Cirencester