Workington MP Sue Hayman has called for a meeting with county council chiefs over parking restrictions after a town business was forced to shut its doors.

Mrs Hayman, who joined the battle for better car parking in Workington in June, has written twice to Cumbria County Council about the issue and has now demanded a meeting.

David Graham, who runs Marrafruits greengrocers, said the 30-minute parking restriction meant he was losing out on customers and gave him no choice but to close his outlet on the pedestrianised Pow Street.

He said: “You need proper parking in the town centre. It’s a big thing. You can get a lot of fruit and vegetables for £10 and you need to be able to park.

“If you can’t park it’s no good. People won’t pay to park and you can go to Tesco and Morrisons where it’s free parking.

“You need at least an hour to two hours. Why can’t you park for two hours? You can’t do anything in half an hour.

Marrafruits opened four years ago. Mr Graham, whose business will continue to take wholesale orders, said the major parking issue, combined with overheads and his health, had forced him to close.

Mrs Hayman said: “This is an extremely serious issue and one I have taken up.

“Town centre traders need to be supported and this 30-minute parking restriction is quite clearly affecting a lot of people.

“I’m very disappointed that I’ve had no response from the council, which is why I have requested a meeting.

“Small businesses in our town centres pay business rates to the councils so they have an interest in supporting them.

“You don’t have time to shop so to encourage shoppers into Workington, and particularly Murray Road, I think it’s really important to look at the length of free parking that we offer to shoppers.”

Mrs Hayman has met with Alan Moore, who owns Intrim Fitness, on Upton Street.

He said: “Other shops will shut. Parking needs to be one or two hours.

“I’m losing £400 to £500 a week and people go to other places when they can’t get parked.”

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “The council is aware of issues raised by local residents relating to parking restrictions in Workington town centre.

“The council is currently reviewing these restrictions. The council can confirm Mrs Hayman has been in touch about this matter and will be in contact with her in due course.”