FURIOUS small-business owners are accusing the council of driving them out of business by failing to repair parking meters.

Several shops in Finchley Road, Temple Fortune, say they have experienced a 20 per cent dip in profits since new regulations about using pay-by-phone methods were introduced in December.

All the ticket machines in the parade are out of order, but they say many customers, particularly the elderly, are struggling to come to terms with the compulsory pay-by-phone system.

Parking supremo has vowed to make the borough, which has an increasingly ageing population, cashless in the same way Westminster Council has.

Lorraine Paterson, who runs the Temptations gift shop, has started a petition to gain support from shoppers against the plans.

She said: “Things are hard enough at the moment but this is really putting people off coming here to shop. The new system is too difficult for many people.

“There has been a marked drop-off in the number of people passing through, which we have come to rely on, everyone is distracted with the parking and finding it confusing.

“I was attacked a couple of years ago and I'm worried about the personal safety aspect here. There are women stood out there on their own with a mobile and their purse open looking for their credit card. It's an invitation to thieves.”

Ms Paterson was also angry after receiving a reply from an email to Cllr Coleman saying the council has plans for a contract to take up all the meters.

It added: “Technology moves on and everyone I know thinks pay by phone is a joy to use (I certainly do in Westminster).

“I know of no-one who drives a car and doesn't have access to a mobile phone and pay as you go phones are available cheaply and easily in supermarkets!!!

“I would be delighted if you generate some publicity on this matter so Barnet Council can demonstrate how our efficiency drive and modernisation of Council services is proceeding.”

Pharmacist Niroo Desai, who has run Landy's Chemists with his brother for more than 40 years, said he had seen a 20 per cent drop in profits since the meters were taken out of service.

He said: “75 per cent of my business is people over 60 who are the ones struggling to use the system. I have had to phone the system to pay for several people.

“Why is there no alternative provision? There should be a choice. Are the council trying to take us out of business? People are going to Brent Cross because it's the only place they can park.

“What good is that for the local shops?”