RESTAURANTS and bars are also feeling the pinch, following the introduction of parking charges in the evenings and on Sundays.

Among restaurant owners in Maid Marian Way who have voiced objections over the move, are Jugal Vig, who owns 4,550 Miles From Dehli. He said city traders needed to take a stand against the council policy.

Naj Aziz, former owner of MemSaab, said he thought the charges would be damaging in the long term and Tony Verma, owner of Laguna restaurant, described it as the "final nail in the coffin".

Ewan McFarlane, of the Larder, in Goosegate, said: "Since the restrictions came into place, we've seen a huge difference in early evening and Sunday reservations.

"Quite simply, people that are going on to the theatre, Ice Arena or Broadway are not bothering with a meal and are going straight to the event.

"This isn't just speculation as to why our numbers have dropped – it's direct feedback from previously regular customers informing us they simply don't want the aggravation and cost of parking any more.

"I've also had conversations with customers that have booked, then subsequently cancelled once they've found out about the regulations. For many of these people, public transport and taxis are simply not a viable option.

"Sunday customers are now simply staying at home or, like one of our once-regular tables, are heading up the M1 to Meadowhall. It's hard to put a concrete figure on it, but it's cost us at the very minimum £500 per week in lost business from established customers alone. Who knows how much potential business we've lost?

"While that kind of money is peanuts to the chain restaurants, as an independent that's a hugely significant amount to us.

"If this continues, we may have to rethink our staffing situation. Due to our upstairs location, we are very much a destination restaurant; therefore, good access and adequate parking is very important.

"Making a restaurant business work is tough at the best of times. In the harshest trading climate for the best part of a century, we need all the help we can get. The parking restrictions seem like just one more thing stacked against us."