ONE of Bishop Auckland's oldest businesses is quitting the town centre because customers cannot find parking spaces.

The departure of optician Richard Boothroyd this weekend severs a Newgate Street connection started by his grandfather, Alfred, in 1907 and continued by his late father, Trevor.

Alfred Boothroyd established the practice across the street from the present premises and numbered comedian Stan Laurel's theatre manager father, Arthur, among his clients.

Mr Boothroyd is moving to larger premises at Cockton Hill for the sake of the next generation of his family: his sons Sebastian, 17, and 20-year-old Alexander, who is training to join the practice.

Mr Boothroyd said he was leaving the town centre reluctantly and was sad because of the long association with Newgate Street, but he had no choice.

"Parking has been a major problem for my patients, especially the elderly who cannot walk very far.

"It has been a very big issue for us. I have tried to tell Durham County and Wear Valley councils what our requirements are, but they totally ignore it. They hear, but they don't listen. I have my sons' future to consider as well. I am in a position where I feel I have no choice but to move to somewhere where there is more space to park as well as to work."

In partnership with Bishop Auckland Chamber of Trade, The Northern Echo has launched a Shopping for A Future campaign to encourage people to use town centre shops.

Traders have identified the lack of free, short-term parking as a serious problem and have also pressed for longer parking times in Newgate Street for disabled drivers.

Chamber of Trade spokeswoman Margaret Ellis said last night: "Boothroyd's has been in Newgate Street for almost a century and losing them is one step further towards destroying the character of the town. This confirms exactly what we have been telling the councils. How many more businesses will have to leave before they will listen?"

A district council spokes-man said: "We are sorry that Boothroyd's is leaving the town centre."