Small traders have long blamed them for pushing shoppers away from local high streets to out-of-town superstores.

And their complaints about pay-and-display machines appear to have been borne out by the story of one coastal town.

After thieves smashed all four parking machines in Cardigan’s main car parks last month, custom in local stores soared by up to half.

Delighted shopkeepers will be welcoming more people through their doors as county council chiefs are struggling to find the £22,500 needed for repairs.

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After thieves smashed all four parking machines in Cardigan’s main car parks last month, custom in local stores soared by up to half

The delay means locals and visitors will continue to enjoy free parking in the picturesque West Wales town which lists a Norman castle as one of its attractions.

Campaigners believe Cardigan’s experience could be replicated across the country to help counter the drop in the number of high street shops. The national total slumped by nearly 20,000 to just over 129,000 in only the last decade. This week at a meeting of Cardigan Town Council, traders queued up to recount how the destruction of the pay-and-display machines had led to the unexpected windfall.

Cafe owner Jane Roche said shoppers were taking advantage of the free parking to stay longer.

‘The town is much busier, with customers saying that it is really nice not to have to rush back to their cars,’ she said.

Keith Davies, 64, former chairman of Cardigan Traders who has run a butcher’s shop there since 1978, said business was better than it had been in years.

‘We’ve long campaigned for free parking, and while we don’t condone the damage to the machines, the difference it’s made is unbelievable,’ he added.

‘Instead of going out of town to Tesco or Aldi, people can stay in the centre for five or six hours without having to pay or worry about getting a ticket. They can go into shops then stop at a café or a restaurant without having to rush.

‘I’ve seen trade go up by around 20 per cent but some businesses have seen an increase of 50 per cent, which is not only good for the traders but it helps make Cardigan a thriving place.

‘It sounds like the machines will be out until September which means summer visitors will benefit too. We understand the council needs revenue from them but hopefully they will agree to increase the time people can park for free.’

Bakery owner Martin Radley, current chairman of Cardigan Traders, added: ‘What we have now is a level playing field.

What we have now is a level playing field. Bakery owner Martin Radley

‘People who have enjoyed free parking at supermarkets are finding they prefer going to small, independent shops which offer goods of a far better quality. People are staying longer and spending more. They feel more relaxed not having to worry about their cars.

‘It demonstrates what we’ve been saying for years: if you have lower parking fees, or even no fees, then people will come into town.’

The machines were charging £1.20 for an hour, rising to £2.20 for a maximum of three hours.

Ceredigion County Council said it may use an interim system and was committed to getting the machines working as soon as possible.