HOW I sympathise with the traders of Walmgate and Fossgate and their persecution by the parking officers of City of York Council (February 16).

I traded from premises in Walmgate for around 12 years and was once threatened with arrest by a female warden as I refused to move my car - I was loading a glass topped coffee table at the time!

Small business in York needs all the support it can get. I could have wept when I read Stubbs was closing down, try recapturing that atmosphere and level of service in B&Q.

York without Stubbs is like a York without Bettys.

Does the City of York Council want to put all small shops out of business? It seems hell bent on doing just that. Make parking and loading impossible, hike up the business rates, object to any planning proposal for the hell of it and if you expect rubbish to be collected, be prepared to pay 75p per bag.

We relocated our business to Monkgate last year to offer our customers better facilities and hassle-free parking in our small car park.

The latest problem is that to park our van near our showroom, we have to purchase a parking permit. However this does not guarantee a space. We must drive around the city waiting for a space to come up.

If York wants to be known for its amazing branch of Woolworths, Next, BHS, Marks & Spencer or Debenhams, well the best of luck. York was once renowned for its individual shops selling unusual merchandise, that is what the visitors expect.

Help support small business and make a stand against the parking bullies.

Joy Plaskitt,

Plaskitt & Plaskitt Interior Design,

Monkgate,

York.

Updated: 12:18 Monday, February 26, 2001