But improvements such as better parking, a park and ride and a hotel may help attract visitors, according to shopkeepers and tourism promoters.

The number of visitors to Warwick's tourist information centre in the first half of 2008 fell by 18 per cent compared with the same period in 2007.

Shopkeepers have also reported fewer tourists.

Stuart McBeath owns Claridges in Swan Street. He believes economic factors are one reason for fewer visits, but believes the town could be improved.

Mr McBeath said: "The economy is certainly one of the issues. I've certainly seen fewer American tourists, foreign exchange students or Japanese tourists. People aren't travelling as far, whether it's across borders or not."

He believes local government should capitalise on the willingness of shops such as Marks and Spencer to open branches.

Mr McBeath added: "Private investment is coming into Warwick but there is no infrastructure.

"We have no park and ride, there is very little parking and what we do have, you have to pay for. There are lots of things to dissuade people from travelling into Warwick town centre."

Warwickshire tourism group Shakespeare Country's chief executive Phil Hackett was more optimistic. He blamed an early Easter and rainy bank holidays but said bookings for Warwick destinations had remained high and predicted a "massive" rise in holidays in the UK.

He also believes more visitors are coming to Warwick from Germany, France and Poland.

Mr Hackett said: "If the dollar is weak, you can concentrate on other markets. The Euro is probably the strongest it's ever been and the Canadian and Australian dollars are also at their most powerful."

Even so, Mr Hackett believes Warwick could be easier to explore for visitors.

He says a larger hotel in the town would encourage people to stay for two days, combining a trip to the castle with a day visiting St Mary's church and Warwick's museums.

* What do you think would make Warwick more attractive to tourists?

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