Shoppers continue to condemn M&S parking charges (From This Is Local London)

Shoppers continue to condemn M&S parking charges in Temple Fortune and Mill Hill

12:30pm Thursday 11th March 2010 in Where I Live By Kevin Bradford

SCORES of disgruntled shoppers have signed a comments book condemning new parking charges that have been brought in at a supermarket in Temple Fortune.

Since the minimum £3 charge was applied at the Marks and Spencer store, in Finchley Road, at the end of last month, dozens of customers have signed the diary at the front desk each day expressing their outrage.

Many claim the fee, which is for one hour with a £2 extra charge for another half an hour, is “too high”. Others have written saying “it is a disgrace” and is “shocking”.

A Euro Car Parks sign above the ticket machine informs drivers of the new charges, which apply every day, 24 hours a day, and warns the area is patrolled wardens. It also states failure to comply with regulations may result in a £70 parking charge notice being issued.

The charges have also sparked anger in Mill Hill where they have been brought in at the Broadway store and more than 200 people have joined a Facebook group in opposition.

M&S bosses have said the scheme is part of a trial programme to ensure parking spaces are available to shoppers, and added it would be reviewed after taking the feedback into account.

Bilal Phatti, manager at the Temple Fortune branch, said: “It has not dramatically affected our sales.

“This is something head office have put a lot of thinking in to. The feedback we were getting from customers before was questioning why they had to queue to get into the car park.

“We are getting mixed feedback, much more bad than good, but people have said some good things.”

Customers are able to claim back their parking charges if they spend more than £15 in store, although the amount is deducted from the bill, not handed back as cash.

Mr Phatti said: “An average cost of a basket is far more than £15 so it is a very low threshold before they can claim the money back.

“We believe it is going to settle down and people will realise why it is in place.”