A Macclesfield businessman says town centre shops have lost trade as people fear they will be fined for not paying to park because Cheshire East's meters aren't accepting card payments.

Cheshire East issued a statement this morning (March 14) to say some of its pay and display machines in towns across the borough were not accepting card payments 'because of a third-party issue which is out of the council's control'.

It is understood the problem, which began earlier this week, may also be affecting some other areas of the country.

Richard Slater, owner of Henbury Travel on Chestergate, said: "We've had the quietest week for the past two years.

"Footfall in the town centre has flatlined this week. People don't know whether they can park."

Richard Slater of Henbury Travel (Credit: LDRS)

The statement issued by Cheshire East on Facebook said: "Supplier engineers need to attend all the affected pay and display machines to carry out a manual reset.

"This began yesterday and will also be taking place today.

"Crewe and Nantwich machines are now back online.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused and are working with suppliers to get this resolved as soon as possible.

"In the meantime, payments can still be made via RingGo, or by cash at some car parks."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted the council to ask if people who can't pay will be fined if they park.

It was pointed out there are very few parking machines which take cash following Cheshire East's decision to go cashless and that some people may not have smartphones and so can't pay by app.

Cheshire East is yet to respond.