Business leaders have renewed calls to reduce car parks charges after it was revealed the council took nearly £3m in Macclesfield over two years.

Traders say parking fees are encouraging town centre customers to use out-of-town shopping centres instead.

But Cheshire East Council says management of the town’s 18 charging council-run car parks is already designed to encourage shoppers.

They said new pay-as-you-leave systems could be tried in future to replace the pay-upfront scheme now in place.

Mandy Fazelynia, who sits on the Macclesfield Economic Forum, said: "There’s no doubt that parking is linked to footfall and we still get the

problem of how much is being charged.

"You’re penalised so heavily if you go over the time.

"We need to encourage people to stay in the town centre and not penalise them to stay for longer as the prices do now.

"Most go to out-of-town shopping centres such as Handforth Dean."

Ian Allport, chairman of the Indoor Market Traders’ Association, added: "We need cheaper prices to bring in people. When people do their shopping they look at what the cost is to park so they’re just going to go where they get free parking, such as out-of-town shopping areas.

"They are forcing people out of the town centre."

A Freedom of Information request by the Express revealed the council earned £2,959,203 in its first two years from Macclesfield’s car parks.

Churchill Way took most money – £277,033 in the financial year 2009-2010 and £286,990 in 2010-2011.

Coun Rod Menlove, cabinet member for environmental services, said he would be ‘interested in seeing proof’ that dropping prices or free parking on Saturdays would increase shopper numbers.

He added: "On-street parking, for up to one hour, is free.

"Despite inflation, charges on Macclesfield’s car parks have remained unchanged for a number of years. The small rise seen recently, was in response the rise in VAT which was delayed, by this council, for six months to aid traders and shoppers alike.

"Pay as you leave systems are an option and may be trialled in the future. However, such systems would require further investment."