But traders have warned that the two towns need to be treated differently following mixed reactions to the introduction of parking wardens this summer.

While some Uppingham traders think their presence has scared off the shoppers, Oakham businesses have welcomed the move.

Caroline Hodges, the chairman of Rutland's Chamber of Trade, said: "Uppingham is a different kettle of fish to Oakham.

"It is a much smaller town with fewer shops and needs to be treated separately. Rutland County Council needs to listen to the traders because they know best what is needed.

"In Oakham the traffic has been moving a lot better since the parking wardens were introduced and there has been a bigger turnover of people parking on High Street."

But Brenda Howley, who owns the Banyan Tree in High Street West, Uppingham, fears the town's visitors are being scared off by the heavy-handed approach of traffic wardens.

Together with other traders in the town she has drawn up a 300-strong petition calling for changes to parking enforcement, which will be handed over at next Thursday's council meeting.

Brenda said: "Our main concern is the number of traffic wardens in Uppingham. There are two allocated for us and two for Oakham, but we are half the size. It's very off-putting for visitors.

"People say they are more spaces available in the town, but that's because fewer people are coming to shop here.

"I know the credit crunch doesn't help but it's more than that. I believe the parking wardens are deterring visitors and spoiling the traditional relaxed atmosphere of our town."

Traders will attend the meeting at Catmose next week along with town and county councillors and the police to air their views on what changes should be made. Meeting organiser Gene Plews is urging members of the public to attend and listen to the debate.

He said: "Both towns are different and the needs of each will come out during the meeting."

Issues raised at next week's meeting will be debated in a full parking review by Rutland County Council next month. Council officers have already drawn up a list of ideas for Oakham which includes stricter parking controls on Church Street, Kilburn Road, Northgate, Station Road and The Sidings.

Other ideas are increasing the current one hour limit on Market Place, Mill Street and High Street to two hours and introducing business and visitor permits.

Donna Ironmonger, who owns Celestial Jewellery in Knight's Yard, supports the suggestions.

She said: "Business permits are a fantastic idea and would really help traders. Considering we already pay exceptionally high business rates in the town, the introduction of free business permits would be welcomed.

"It would also be useful to have free parking for two hours in the town, giving visitors more time to do everything they need to."
Uppingham traders would also like to see free parking for two hours, less traffic wardens and more parking spaces.

The scrutiny meeting takes place on Thursday November 20 at 7pm at Catmose in Oakham. Members of Rutland County Council will then meet again on December 16 for a full parking review.