Retailers across the country are celebrating success after actions against damaging parking restrictions and suspensions yielded positive results.

In Bailgate, Lincolnshire, retailers won their battle to double the current 30-miute on street parking limit which was deterring people from spending time in the highstreet. More than 1,282 people had signed a petition to increase the minimum restriction to one hour.

In Nuneaton, Warwickshire, convenience retailer Raj Rathod’s campaign to replace the double yellow lines outside his store with two limited parking pays picked up pace, after more than 300 local people signed his petition in just two days.

Raj, who has owned the store for eight years, has also secured the support of his local county councillor Stuart Bray, who personally presented the petition to Leicestershire County Council.

Retailers in Gainsborough, meanwhile, are benefiting from a boost in trade after West Lindsey District Council introduced free parking every Tuesday, in compensation for a town centre improvement works which has led to a spate of damaging road closures for traders.

Small business owners in Sheffield are hoping for similar success in their campaign against a 17% rise in city centre charges and the introduction of new Sunday and evening charges.

Hitting out at the proposal, Federation of Small Businesses regional chairman Gordon Millward said the council’s “indolence and ineptitude” would further deprive the town centre of life and vitality.