Supermarket tightens up car parking rules

by Lisa Reeves

Wednesday 17^th January 2018

Wed 17^th Jan 2018

Concerns have been raised that drivers may be 'caught out' with fines after new parking rules were introduced at Waitrose supermarket.

The supermarket has reduced the period of free parking which they offer at their Church Street store from 120 minutes to 90 minutes.

They have also introduced an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system which uses cameras to identify the number plates of vehicles entering and leaving the car park to determine whether drivers have overstayed - so parking tickets can be issued where they have.

A Waitrose spokesperson said "We are still providing 90 minutes free parking in our car park with no obligation to make a purchase from us. The new system is designed to ensure we continue to look after our customers who have found it difficult to find spaces because of the increasing pressure our car park has come under, especially during busy trading periods, while still providing free parking for other shoppers visiting the town centre."

Tags:: Waitrose

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Barry Buxton

Wednesday 17^th January 2018 at 9:13 pm

Very reasonable.

Robert Bracegirdle

Thursday 18^th January 2018 at 1:15 am

They’re right about one thing. I’ve no obligation to shop at Waitrose.

Jon Williams

Thursday 18^th January 2018 at 11:51 am

90 min is fine for any supermarket without a cafe

Desmond Williams

Thursday 18^th January 2018 at 2:25 pm

I feel that the new restriction of a maximum of one&half hours is not acceptable.Waitrose do provide free coffee&tea to encourage you to shop there but since the departure of Boots
those people who have to have medical prescribed and collect the two hours in the car park was great including having a coffee whilst waiting.I have spoken to a few customers who are equally unhappy and some go now elsewhere.It means Waitrose gives with one hand and takes away with the other hand.

Sandra Cox

Thursday 18^th January 2018 at 4:01 pm

Years ago they used to check one had bought from the shop when leaving the car park so 90 minutes free with no purchases necessary seems generous especially as Hoopers/Sainsburys car park cost £1 for 2 hours.

Is it worth talking to the chemist (I presume Boots in Grove Street) and ask if they can get the order ready more quickly?

Adam Bower

Thursday 18^th January 2018 at 8:04 pm

There is no reason for Waitrose to accommodate people in their carpark when they do not shop at their store. They should push the problem away and let the council deal with the extra cars by developing the current town centre landscape. Enable the town to offer free parking for 90 minutes through good town planning......too simple obviously.

Paul Green

Thursday 18^th January 2018 at 11:03 pm

Flip it the other way, we used to park at Waitrose, pop into town to the Post Office, the NatWest, have coffee, and then pick up a few items from Waitrose. Now we cannot gamble on getting everything done in 90 minutes, so we will pay the £1 and shop at Sainsbury's, Waitrose lose out as we cannot pay for extra time.

Jon Armstrong

Friday 19^th January 2018 at 6:57 am

Or flip it the other way, while you're bobbing around town spending money at places that don't provide any parking at all nevermind free parking, Waitrose customers who want to do a full weekly shop can't park as people who aren't even there are taking up the spaces.

Alan Brough

Friday 19^th January 2018 at 12:06 pm

Nice point Jon Armstrong.

DELETED ACCOUNT

Friday 19^th January 2018 at 2:13 pm

90 minutes is fine for most shoppers, but Waitrose does have a lot of elderly and disabled people who use the store, and who take a considerable amount of time to do their shopping.

Paul Hampton

Saturday 20^th January 2018 at 8:49 am

Good move, Waitrose. Car park was often full whilst the supermarket quiet. 90 minutes free parking and a complementary coffee is more than generous. Hoping this will also help address the problem of disabled and child parking space abuse.