Are they trying to kill businesses?

That was the question as the parking meters in the main car park in Frome were marked out of order, drivers tried to download a payment App unsuccessful in at least one case, while other just said no way, and drove away, not risking a ticket.

The Cheese & Grain Flea & Antique market was noticeably quieter today (July 29) with two new traders telling organiser Carol Liddicoat they could not risk a ticket. So they drove away losing valued custom and customers and they were not alone.

Outside a 74 year old visitor to Frome told Nub News : "Sorry, but I can't use an App even if it worked. I am leaving and going to Trowbridge instead. I don't do this (paying by mobile) I use my computer at home, so I do use technology but this is so silly. I wont be a customer today. "

The system was not helped by the fact the number offered for HELP on the parking boards does not work. When the main Somerset council number was called, Carol was told there was no one available to help because it is the weekend.

"It is chaos, " Carol told Frome nub news. " The market is so quiet. We have lost stall holders. The customers are driving away. It is terrible. Sellers have not stayed people, have not come here and the car park is empty.

"Some customers don't even have mobile phones, they cant pay that way. It tells you to ring a number, and it doesn't even exist. It is not in service.

"The council need to be clear if the machines are out of order then parking should be free, not everybody has the App. And one customer who tried to download the App was asked so many questions.. they wanted her to give over her banking information, well she didn't feel safe doing that... so she left as well."

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Ticket or not to ticket

One driver said they had managed to get hold of a someone from the parking management team and were reassured tickets would not be issued. But there was no verification and most of the crowd around the parking notice board refused to trust the promise.

Frome Nub News has not been able to confirm that this is the case and without any guarantee, we would like to hear from anyone who has been given a parking ticket for July 29.

Carol says she will also collect parking tickets and fight them en-mass. The market returns in Wednesday with hopes that punishing visitors will have stopped.

Frome Nub News has contacted Somerset County Council to find out what is going on.