Tesco to cut free parking by an hour at Hanley store
SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has cut the three-hour free parking restrictions at its Hanley store – to help free up spaces for shoppers.
The move means motorists can now only park for a maximum of two hours at the city centre store.
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The Tesco store in Hanley
It follows complaints from customers that they were struggling to find empty spaces on the 750-space car park.
A notice to customers states: "To improve car park space availability at the store, customers will be able to park for a maximum of two hours."
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But the move has angered Tesco customers who fear they will not have long enough to shop and other drivers who park at the store to avoid Hanley's parking charges.
Shopper Carol Lander, aged 63, ofNorton, said: "There is no way I could do a big shop in two hours – I would be constantly keeping an eye on the clock.
"If I had to rush I would probably end up forgetting half of what I went in for."
Angela Hall, aged 56, of Nursery Avenue, Baddeley Green, added: "I have never seen drivers having to wait for a space.
"It is probably something to do with the fact that people park at Tesco and then go into Hanley and they want to stop it."
Free parking was limited to just 30 minutes when the store opened in 2010. Motorists who stayed on the car park for a maximum of three hours had to spend £5 in the store to qualify for free parking.
But barriers in and out of the car park were removed to create a three-hour parking free-for-all as shoppers shunned pay-and-display car parks.
Motorist Ann Farnell, aged 64, of Loggerheads, said: "If people want to nip into Hanley they won't have enough time to do everything and will start shopping at places like Festival Park. Tesco will lose out."
George Daniels, aged 27, of Leek Road, Hanley, added: "People don't pay to park in Hanley anymore, but that's the council's fault for making it so expensive."
Tesco said it had listened to customers' concerns.
A Tesco spokesman said: "We understand it can be a bit of a struggle for customers to find a space in our car park sometimes. In response, we are asking that people use the car park for two hours. This will hopefully mean there are more spaces available for those customers shopping in the store."
Tesco will use number plate recognition cameras to enforce the changes.
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by leeguv
Tuesday, March 26 2013, 12:31AM
“Er, no Huey_hog, that's not right. Not right at all.
Most debt collection agencies BUY the debt, and your credit file (which shows ALL lines of credit in your name) will then show that you owe the debt collection agency money, not the original lender. The debt collection agency will then provide Equifax, Experian, et al with regular updates regarding the frequency at which you're resolving (or not resolving) your debt. Every missed payment is recorded on your credit file so it absolutely affects your credit rating.
I'm not sure why you mentioned bailiffs because they have nothing whatsoever to do with your credit rating. They just pay you a visit by request of the court to seize goods. Any money raised from the sale of those goods will be passed to the lender (the debt collection agency in this instance) minus court costs. If that money doesn't cover the debt (and it rarely does), you're still in trouble and it's usually time to declare yourself bankrupt to make it all go away for good.”
by Huey_Hog
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 1:41PM
“"Even if you stand firm and don't pay, it shafts your credit rating for the next few years."
Rubbish, debt collection agencies are not baillifs and can have no impact on your credit rating unless they succesfully sue you in court and you refuse to pay. That won't happen as by definition any alledged debt is not theirs to sue you over.
If I send you a letter demanding money will you pay it or tell me to get lost? Debt collection agencies are private firms with no more legal right to your money than I have.”
by Spasser
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 11:12PM
“Firstly this change happened weeks ago so well done Suntinel for being on the ball as usual. Tesco could have retained the pay and refund system that they had initially at Hanley and Longton (and on which their planning permission was granted!!) but that they chose to remove as it was less attractive to potential shoppers than a simple free parking system. So the problem comes from their own greed. What do they expect will happen if you offer free parking in a town centre? I enjoy using the free parking and not spending a penny in there; 1-0 to Joe Public versus corporate greed.
Also, to those who say ignore any fine, what will happen is that the fine/invoice is passed to a debt collection company and increases. Even if you stand firm and don't pay, it shafts your credit rating for the next few years.”
by mannyrasores
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 5:18PM
“Tesco is failing its customers and the new camera enforcement will not work.
The problem is the abuse by non shoppers using the free car park to avoid parking charges elsewhere and affecting genuine shoppers, the only real solution is simple.
Ensure only Tesco genuine customers can use the car park for free by bringing back a payment refund system for genuine shoppers and introduce a charge for the free loaders. They would then stop using the car park.”
by petemarino
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 4:27PM
“What calibre is the gun the council has pointed at Tesco?”
by Ron DePlume
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 2:21PM
“In fairness the shopper who said it took 2 hours could have mobility issues.
I do know many pensioners who aren't as quick as they used to be relish supermarket shopping because it gets them out of the house so whilst 2 hours in there would be a nightmare for us it's probably the highlight of their week.”
by Ron DePlume
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 2:20PM
“In fairness the shopper who said it took 2 hours could have mobility issues.
I do know many pensioners who aren't as quick as they used to be relish supermarket shopping because it gets them out of the house so whilst 2 hours in there would be a nightmare for us it's probably the highlight of their week.”
by Ron DePlume
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 2:20PM
“In fairness the shopper who said it took 2 hours could have mobility issues.
I do know many pensioners who aren't as quick as they used to be relish supermarket shopping because it gets them out of the house so whilst 2 hours in there would be a nightmare for us it's probably the highlight of their week.”
by Redpitlad
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 1:55PM
“Quote.......there's know way I could do a big shop in two hours!!!
Yes I know what you mean....I always get one of those trolley which want to go its own way!
either that or the brakes are stuck on.”
by leeguv
Tuesday, March 19 2013, 1:12PM
“Cripes, just how much stuff are people buying if they can't do their weekly shop within two hours?
Even in the days before Christmas when Sainsbury's is bustling you can get over £200 worth of shopping done in about 60-80 minutes.”