High Town business owners say shoppers are being excluded from a previously well-used car park, so that it can be used by commuters.
The council-run car park in Burr Street previously had a range of charges but now has one flat rate – £4.50 for all-day parking.
The move has upset business owners, who say there is plenty of space elsewhere for commuters.
Teresa Palermo, of the Scandinavia Cafe, said: “They’re trying to force people out of High Town, we’re trying to keep our businesses going but this is just going to make it even harder.”
Mrs Palermo said she had seen people pull into the car park but then leave when they saw the tariff.
A council spokeswoman said recent changes meant the amount of short-stay parking in High Town had actually increased, and that the cost of one-hour stays had been reduced.
She said: “Additional short term parking has been introduced in Wenlock Street and Brunswick Street, including a new price tariff of 60p for 1 hour to encourage shoppers.”
No objections had been received when the changes were advertised, she added.