OUR story on the cost of parking in the town centre chimed with many readers who agreed with shop workers that there was very little to attract them.

Store assistants have heard complains from shoppers about the price and feel a cut in charges could help bring in more business.

Here's what some had to say about it on social media...

Kate Reed: "Visited town centre yesterday, was in there just over an hour, car park was £3.40!"

Fiona Elizabeth Smart: "Primark and body care. Don't go in there for anything else as orbital has most of the stuff I need."

Laura Cousins: "I used to go to the Body Shop. It had some amazing Christmas gift sets and amazing value. That's gone now, and what has replaced it? Nothing.

"It's just an empty store. It's been like that for over two years.

"When shops close in Swindon, they don't get replaced with anything else now. They are just empty and bleak."

Susan Winslow: "Yep the bank, Specsavers and Primark. It’s not an inviting place anymore."

Robert Weyman: "Meeting friends and family for coffee mostly now."

Kath Danswan: "I enjoy a walk onto town and browsing the shops. There are still plenty of shops in the shopping centre."

Linda Noakes: "Bank online, Specsavers is also in Sainsburys and there is no charge to park, or opticans in Asda (again free parking).

"If Primark was out of Swindon town on retail park, it would be brilliant.

"However I wouldn't go into town just for Primark alone, so wait till I'm at another town or city."

Elspeth Hughes: "How right you are. Since the banks relocated to town it forces me to go in.

"When I do have to make this visit I will try and find free parking. £3.40 for about half an hour which is the time it takes is rip off.

"The council is helping to kill off the town centre."

Keana Marsh: "I've not been in any shops in town centre that aren't Greggs, Primark or M&S in years. There's nothing else of any interest there."

Alun Powell: "Well if you're going to the opticians you have to go to the bank to get the loan to pay for the glasses."

Adrian Thrush: "The decent shops have all disappeared. This has been going on for 20 + years.

"I lived in the town centre for a while years ago and witnessed its decline happening then , its not just a Brexit or Covid thing."

Heather Elizabeth Sunner: "I went to Stroud last week they have totally revamped the indoor mall. Swindon council should have a look.

"Swindon town is an embarrassment, it’s dirty scruffy unloved and not cared for.

"Do something with the old market it’s not rocket science if the centre is better we’ll get more people visiting.

Helena Williams Bowie: "People go for Iceland , Claires and the new community hub will make a difference."

Becci Jayne Taylor: "For me I go into town for a haircut, and buy my children clothes.

"I miss the days when we had good market stalls great shops, now it's ran down and depressing.

"Look at Bristol, Cardiff, Telford, Romford great shopping centres so why can't Swindon follow suit.

Linzi Marie Sutton: "Town is shocking! Went with a friend to take the kids to soft play and McDonald's for lunch.

"She drove and parked in the Brunel and we were shocked it was £9 for parking less than 6 hours. Disgusting."

Sarah Anne Fozzy: "Scrap parking fees . We pay enough road tax... and retailers are fed up of high car parking charges because it puts people off coming into town.( I know because a few staff have told me)

"Haven't they suffered enough with pandemic? Tut. Shame on SBC ."