Tesco accused of 'unfairly fining' workers after parking U-turn at Hodge Hill store

Yahoo

4 days ago

A business owner claimed local workers were being 'unfairly fined' at a Birmingham Tesco store after the supermarket reversed its long-standing parking rules.
Tesco Hodge Hill Superstore allowed local workers to use its car park for free as part of its original planning permission when it opened in 2012.
But earlier this year, the Coleshill Road store introduced new parking limits to "better manage spaces" and to "deter anti-social behaviour". It now limits free parking to three hours during most of the week.
READ MORE: Teacher at Sutton Park lake victim's school donates to funeral fundraiser
Ayaz Ahmed, who owns neighbouring business 54EA Interiors, said the change had left traders and customers facing unexpected fines.
He claimed two elderly women were fined £70 after having lunch in a nearby café after staying longer than three hours, while an ex-police sergeant was fined after their car broke down in the car park.
"When Tesco was originally granted planning permission, one of the key conditions was that local residents and businesses would be allowed to use the car park," said Mr Ahmed.
"However, this arrangement has recently changed. They have now introduced strict parking restrictions, including fines.
"What's particularly frustrating is that the portal they've provided to book parking spaces is often unresponsive or shows no availability - even when plenty of spaces are clearly vacant.
"As a result, many of us are being unfairly fined."
Mr Ahmed added: "It has resulted in two old ladies getting a £70 fine for having lunch in a coffee shop, and an ex-police sergeant being fined while broken down in the car park.
"They should allow free parking in the week between 9am and 5pm. It makes no sense to only allow three hours for a working day."
Tesco confirmed the changes, aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour in the car park at night, were introduced earlier this year with Birmingham City Council's approval.
A Tesco spokesperson told BirminghamLive: 'It is important to us that all our customers can find a space when they visit our stores.
"Parking limits at our Hodge Hill superstore are in place to allow us to better manage spaces and to deter anti-social behaviour in the car park at night, especially outside of opening hours."
The supermarket stressed that customers and local businesses could still park for free for up to three hours during most of the week - between 6am and 10pm Monday to Saturday, and 6am to 6pm on Sundays.
Outside of those hours, limits are reduced to one hour between 10pm and midnight, and just 15 minutes between midnight and 6am.
On Sundays, parking is limited to 15 minutes between 6pm and midnight.
Tesco added that the parking restrictions are signposted and passes for longer stays could be purchased through 'Your Parking Space'.
The changes, it said, were made in consultation with the council and complied with all planning regulations.