BUSINESS leaders in Salisbury have hit out at “ridiculous” plans to extend parking charges and introduce full Sunday tariffs after Wiltshire Council approved its budget by a single vote.

The controversial measures – which include extending charging hours from 7am to 7pm and aligning Sunday rates with weekdays – were backed as part of the authority’s budget at Wiltshire Council yesterday.

In a strongly worded representation to the council, the Salisbury & District Chamber of Commerce warned the changes could damage the city centre economy.

Part of the chamber’s letter was read out during the meeting by Cllr Sven Hocking.

Writing to the council, the chamber said it recognised the financial pressures facing the authority and supported effective parking management.

However, it warned that aligning Sunday tariffs with weekday rates and extending charging hours could have “unintended economic consequences” for Salisbury.

“Parking pricing is not neutral; it directly influences behaviour, dwell time and destination choice,” the letter stated.

The chamber argued that Salisbury’s Sunday economy is driven by leisure, tourism, hospitality and cultural activity rather than commuter traffic, warning that removing differentiated Sunday pricing risks reducing discretionary visits “at a time when city-centre resilience remains fragile”.

It also raised concerns about the proposed 7pm charging threshold, saying early evening trade is “hospitality-driven” and that extra costs for pre-theatre dining, events and early-shift workers could suppress footfall.

Rather than opposing reform outright, the chamber called for a more demand-led structure, including free or low-cost short stays, affordable medium stays to encourage spending, and premium pricing for all-day parking.

The group has asked what behavioural and economic modelling was carried out on the impact to Sunday and early evening trade, whether alternative tiered Sunday options were considered, and how potential displacement to out-of-town or neighbouring centres was assessed.

Following the narrow vote, the chamber said it would “continue to lobby on our community’s behalf” for an urgent review.