A senior business figure has described plans to bring in year-round parking changes as the ‘nail in the coffin’ for Great Yarmouth.

Norfolk County Council are moving forward with proposals to bring in parking charges on the resort’s Golden Mile during the winter months.

Managing director of Potters Resort in Hopton, John Potter, said this represents an attack on those working hard to keep businesses open outside of the summer season.

Mr Potter added: “I am truly disgusted by the short-sighted and insensitive approach of county in this matter. This will not play out well for the future of Great Yarmouth.

“This decision is a nail in the coffin for those in the town that work hard and are trying to emulate what we have already achieved here at Potters Resort, namely to extend the season to create employment, encourage investment in a town so reliant on encouraging visitors by car.

“This does not overly effect my business, but from one who has bucked the seasonal trend I genuinely feel for those who are trying hard and being kicked by this frankly self-serving proposal.”

The tourism boss said he thinks the county council only stand to make around £11,000 from the move, but it would have a detrimental effect on seafront businesses.

He is now calling on the county council to rethink its plans and said the resort was in need of genuine help and regenerative assistance.

In a letter to Mr Potter, a council officer said they had conducted a consultation relating to on-street pay display arrangements between Sandown Road and Kings Road, and amendments to parking times between Kings Road and Main Cross Road.

The officer added: “After much consideration of the feedback presented, it has been decided that the proposals will be progressed as originally planned.”

Earlier in the year the party political leaders at borough level joined together to condemn the move penning a letter to parking chiefs at the county council.

In the joint letter they penned together, the leaders wrote: “Great Yarmouth is seen as a largely seasonal economy and we are working hard to change that perception and the introduction of winter charging on street will be totally detrimental to this.”