SEVENTY traders in Okehampton, some of whom are reporting a loss in turnover of up to 50 per cent since the closure of Market Street Car Park, have signed a petition over the lack of convenient parking facilities.

The trading situation has been described as 'deadly' by local shopper Beatrice Symms who started the petition because she said the shopkeepers were feeling so low.

'I am in the town most days and I talk to people in the market and in the shops and they say trade is really bad,' she said. 'Some are even thinking about packing up.

'The Red Lion Yard has always been a busy place in the past but I was in one of the shops for an hour the other day and only five people walked by.'

Mrs Symms said most of the traders had signed the petition but the market traders had also started one of their own.

Waitrose, which is building its store on the site of the old car park is planning to open the whole of its new 186-space car park on site in time for the Christmas season.

But shopkeepers are fearful that the people will use the car park just for shopping in Waitrose and not visit the other shops in town.

'The Market Street car park used to be the town's car park but the new car park is for Waitrose,' said Mrs Symms.

Owner of Piggy's Cafe Wendy Hunt said: 'People are not using the alternative car park in Mill Road because it is not convenient for the town centre.

'Lots of people who come in here have said they will not be coming back because of the hassle of parking and the coaches have not come in this year because there is nowhere for them to park.'

Maureen Halse, of Okehampton Wools, said since the car park was closed in February her takings were down by 50 per cent.

'This time of year should be good for me, but it is really quiet,' she said.

'There might be a few more parking spaces when Waitrose opens the car park but by that time it will be too late. People have gone and they will not come back.

'No-one will park in Mill Road because it means having to carry shopping up the hill.'

The petition is expected to be handed into the West Devon Borough Council offices in Okehampton.