Kent: A rise in parking charges will kill the Curzon cinema, its boss says

“If parking prices continue to rise we will be forced to assess the viability of the Westgate cinema. This is something we never thought we would have to do.”

Mr Bunger argued that a flat rate charge of £2 for the use of Pound Lane that currently applies between 9pm and 7.30am GMT should instead be offered from 6pm.

Clare Millett, chief executive of nearby events venue Westgate Hall, said the company faces a potential loss of £40,000 by 2025 as a direct result of the increases.

“You are killing companies with uniform parking rates,” she said during a cabinet meeting.

In April, the city council divided all its locations into five price categories, with the highest rates charged in the most used locations.

For some car parks in Whitstable this meant an increase of £2.10 per hour.

Mr Rickets said: “The simple fact is that we are in a financial situation where we are forced to do these kinds of things.”

A public consultation on the plans will be open from November 14 to January 6.