They want parking costs in the central business district to be slashed and rates increases to be eased.

Eleven empty shops are dotted along the main shopping strip between Raglan Parade and Koroit streets and this weekend another two will be added to the list.

Nearby arcades also have vacant premises.

Many long-term traders told The Standard this week the volume of foot traffic was the worst in memory and feared the exodus would continue.

They claim shoppers are deterred by CBD parking costs and hefty fines and are lured by free parking in satellite shopping centres to the north, east and west of the city.

Free first-hour parking and more $2 all-day off-street rates are their key suggestions. 

They also cited high rates, soaring rents, inflexible landlords and fierce competition from online traders and multinational discounters as key factors in tough economic conditions.

Some shopkeepers suggested the planned multi-million-dollar Liebig Street renewal be delayed until the declining patronage was reversed.

“I’ve been in Liebig Street trading for 28 years and this is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” said Mario Materia

“In the prime times we’d have customers still in the shop till 10.30 at night.”

Debra Arnott, who began trading 20 years ago, said the priority should be getting tenants to fill the vacant shops.

“We need a street full of open shops to make it a destination again,” Ms Arnott said.

“Twenty years ago we had to wait to find a vacant shop.

“We have reached crisis point.”

Lyn Savage, a 10-year trader, doubted if the street renewal would be enough to reverse the trend.

“I’m not looking forward to the effect the work will have on our business,” she said.

“For some it will be a nail in the coffin.”

George Politis, who has 53 continuous years on the street, highlighted council rates as the biggest burden.

“They keep going up every year — why, when everyone’s income is so low?” he asked.

“Along with rising insurance and land taxes, it’s all too much.”

Peter Clancey, who is continuing a family link on Liebig Street which started 56 years ago, has noticed a significant slide in foot traffic, particularly in the past five years.

“A lot of factors are involved, including online shopping, but the key in survival is increasing the volume of shoppers,” he said.

“It’s a very simple fix — give them the first hour of parking free and everything else will fall into place.

“We just want a level playing field with parking.”

He said he wrote to the council more than two years ago suggesting free parking until 10.30am and received a reply that the idea was not viable.

Max Taylor, who has been trading in the street for 42 years, had urged the traders to come forward and air their views. He is annoyed after failed attempts to get a council response to his suggestions, which include boom gates for off-street inner-block car parks with the first hour free.

“I have never seen the CBD in such bad shape. It’s going backwards,” he said

“Twenty years ago there was just one out-of-town shopping centre offering free all-day parking.

“Now there are at least six and central traders do not have a level playing field.

“If a motorist is late on returning to a parking meter and cops a $65 fine they won’t come back in a hurry.”

Last year the council collected $355,000 in parking fees and fines.

Mr Taylor is also vice-president of Commerce Warrnambool, which recently had its proposed citywide promotion levy rejected.

He said the city council’s recent installation of new electronic metering machines for off-street parking, which allow payment via mobile phone, did little to appease concerns.

Target arcade tenant Jan Emonson blamed high rents and council fees, including a sewerage service charge despite not having a toilet in the premises.

Virginia Paton, who has operated for 18 years, went further by suggesting a trial of free all-day parking with time limits.

“The first priority should be getting people back to shopping in Liebig Street,” she said.