That's according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), which is applauding the Commons Transport Committee's announcement that it plans to overhaul parking policies.

The FSB said the review must look at local parking provision and charges, and remove obstacles that meant small independent businesses were losing out to supermarkets with their large free car parks.

Spokesman Steve Collie said:

"Local shops face a constant uphill battle against supermarkets and out of town shopping centres. Parking is free out of town but high street retailers are hit hard by restrictive parking policies by local councils."