SHOPPERS are baffled by Tesco car park signs which “don’t make sense” and threaten £70 fines.
The free car park in Towngate, Lancashire, is used by people visiting the supermarket, as well as a chippy and other shops.
Tesco Extra in Leyland, Lancashire[/caption]
ANPR cameras are installed at both entrances, from Lancastergate and Church Road, and are in operation 24/7.
But users are confused as signs display various maximum stays during different periods of the day.
They state there is a maximum stay of three hours between 6am and 10pm, but then also say customers can only park one hour between 10am and 12pm.
Other signage warns shoppers are restricted to 15 minutes parking between 12am and 6am, seven days a week, as well as 15 minutes from 6pm to midnight on Sundays.
Many locals are under the impression Tesco cannot enforce such limits or issue fines – with the understanding a private landowner had gifted the space to the town and it is owned by the council.
South Ribble Borough Council has explained it leases it to the supermarket.
They told the Lancashire Post: “Although we own the land at the Tesco Extra site in Leyland, this is on a long-term lease to Tesco who are responsible for the maintenance and operational aspects of the car park and surrounding area.
“We don’t have involvement with the parking restrictions.”
The Sun has contacted Tesco and the council for further comment.
LITTLE-KNOWN ‘CATCH’
It comes as a little-known supermarket parking “catch” could see drivers slapped with a £100 fine.
Fines may be issued for various reasons, including parking outside the store’s designated operating hours, exceeding the permitted free parking time, or using spaces reserved for disabled drivers.
In some cases, motorists may even be fined for returning to the same car park within a restricted period, known as a “no return” policy.
Even if a driver leaves their vehicle briefly, they may still be detected by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and receive a penalty.
Since these car parks are private property, they are often managed by third-party companies that enforce strict parking rules.
These firms are quick to issue fines to those who unknowingly break the regulations.
Many supermarket car parks impose limits on parking duration and designate specific areas for customer use.
Penalties for breaching these rules typically range from £40 to £100.
To avoid an unexpected fine, motorists should check the signage displayed throughout the car park, which outlines any restrictions, including time limits and operating hours.
If a driver violates these rules, they may receive a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) from a private enforcement company.
It is important to distinguish this from a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), which is issued by local councils and carries legal enforcement.
Several supermarkets use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to monitor vehicles and enforce these restrictions.
Those who break the rules will receive a payment demand in the post.
Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, highlighted the issue, saying: “Parking in a supermarket car park when the store is closed sounds completely fine on the face of it.
But it can actually lead to a fine of up to £100, and we’ve seen cases where people have been clobbered for leaving their car for a matter of minutes.
“Check the signage as you enter the car park carefully before making a decision about whether to stay or not.
“Not all store car parks enforce after-hours restrictions, but many do, and it’s causing real confusion among motorists.”
