A lack of long-stay parking is driving shops out of town, according to Ampthill residents.

Butcher Cecil Freeman and an independent carpet retailer have recently shut while Vanilla Pod, which sells antiques, is moving to new premises in Bedford at the end of May.

Shoppers can park at Waitrose but only stay for two hours, which residents say is not enough time to get into town and look around any shops other than the supermarket.

Jem Maidment, 34, of Saunders Piece, said: "Cecil Freeman closed after 31 years, Vanilla Pod is moving, we have a new shopping parade and the only thing there is an estate agents. Car parking is an issue and a lot of people blame Waitrose."

Before the Waitrose store in Bedford Street was built in 2006, the car park was run by Ampthill Town Council and drivers could park there all day.

Richard Thorne, from Vanilla Pod, said: "It is a real pity, we are moving on and it is entirely due to the parking situation, which is entirely impossible.

"It is no coincidence that everyone is going at the same time and newly-built shops are standing empty.

"It's a shame for Ampthill because it is ruining a lovely Georgian market town."

Residents are also worried about the number of car crashes in Ampthill caused by drivers wanting to stay for more than two hours parking on narrow streets.

Sandra Grant, who lives and works in the town, said: "Several vehicles have had wing mirrors knocked off. It's not Waitrose's fault and I'm glad we have the supermarket, but Ampthill is quite artisan and you need more than two hours to browse properly, have lunch or go to the hairdressers. Nothing has been done by anyone in authority to sort out parking so businesses are moving."

President Duncan Everitt said Ampthill Chamber of Trade and Commerce has been looking for a new car park with a local developer over the last year. "There will soon be a planning application for a new 100-space, long-stay car park," he said.