FEARS have been raised for the future of evening trade in Leatherhead after the town's largest car park began closing at 10pm on weeknights.
Drivers were caught out by the changes at the Swan Centre's multi-storey car park, which came into effect on July 22, finding the shutters drawn when they returned to their vehicles.
The facility was previously open from 7am until midnight daily, but the later closing time began applying only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Swan Centre management said the decision was made because of a "significant drop in the numbers using the car park", but Mole Valley District Council believes this is against the centre's lease.
David Sharland, chairman of the council, said he was shocked when he heard about the changes and believes it will affect evening business in the town centre.
He added: "If people cannot park there in the dark, wet winter months, I can see people abandoning Leatherhead."
Members of the Leatherhead Bridge Club found themselves stuck on the night the changes came in, after a meeting at the town's Fairfield Centre.
Member Mike Brent said: "Along with about a dozen other members, I couldn't access my car when we emerged at 10.35pm. We had to get home somehow and recover our cars the next day – before 8am or they'd be issuing non-payment tickets. None of us knew of the changed time."
Fetcham resident Tracy Baldwin said her 20-year-old daughter ran into the same problem following a meal out with a friend.
"She came back to her car at 10.20pm and the shutters were down. The only sign seems to be a hand-written one in the stairwell, which is pretty hard to see," said the Lower Road resident.
"She had to go back at 7am the next morning to get her car so she missed a couple of hours of work and she's paid by the hour. I just do not understand the reason behind it. It's really bad for Leatherhead."
And Chris Townsend, the council's leader, said: "As freehold owner, the council last week become aware that the managing agents of the Swan Centre car park had introduced changes to the opening hours.
"The car park provides a key service to the town and is vital in maintaining the growing evening economy in Leatherhead.
"The lease states the car park's opening hours are 7am to midnight and, as such, the agent has been asked to reinstate the opening hours as detailed in the lease."
In response, Pat Lawless, manager of the Swan Centre, said: "We are aware that, following recent changes to the opening hours, there have been some unfortunate instances where vehicles have been locked in the premises overnight.
"Accordingly, the Swan Centre management team would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.
"The decision has been made based on a significant drop in the numbers using the car park.
"In the current conditions, such commercial decisions are essential to ensure we can carry on providing a service to the community."