Furious shoppers have spoken out after being caught off-guard by the owners of a car park who are now charging £150 for a year-long permit without previously warning people who use it. Drivers were alerted to a notice at the car park, which is located off of Broadoak Drive, Stapleford, telling local residents that they would be charged £100 if they did not have a permit.
The private land has been unmanaged for some time until recently, and used for parking by many local residents. Blue badge holders are not exempt from the new terms being introduced, the sign revealed. Off-Street Parking, the owners of the car park, has since stated a seven-day permit rate will also be available to buy, which will cost customers £25 per week
Stapleford councillor Richard MacRae posted the news to his Facebook page, which now has around 150 comments from shoppers and workers who seem to have been caught off-guard by the news. Mr MacRae said that some "community engagement" would have been a better approach.
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He also highlighted that littering has been an ongoing issue at the car park and now hopes that something will be done about it, now that drivers are being charged to park there. There are also fears that people being unable to park nearby could have a "knock-on effect" for the high street.
Mr MacRae, Ward for Stapleford North, said: "I was made aware by a resident who lives on the street. One, obviously we know a lot of people are parking on there now and we don't want people getting a charge - it's £100!
"£150 for a year to buy a permit to park on there but there's a lot of people who are turning up to work this morning and suddenly finding they have nowhere to park. The big issue on that is that it's a private car park owned by a private landlord; it always has been.
"It's not a council car park, the council has never been responsible for it. That's why they never used to litter pick it, because it is a hotspot for fly-tipping.
"Now they're charging people to park there, I hope they're going to keep it tidy - because it hasn't been tidy for years. That's been an issue for years and still is.
"There's been problems on there. It's their private land so they can do what they like.
"But the knock-on effect is that it's going to have an effect on the high street. People that have parked there can't do it anymore and the businesses that have used it, unless they're going to fork out £150, they're not going to use it.
"There's not been anything up saying 'in a few weeks we're going to start charging.' It's happened overnight.
"There's been no warning and I think that was something that they could've done. A bit of community engagement.
"It's their land at the end of the day and we can't tell them what they can and can't do with it. But it's got to be a two-way street because if that's what they want to do they should've given people a bit of warning.
"I do feel sorry for those people turning up for work who saw the sign. If they'd have known there could've been some alternative arrangements they could've made."
Local residents also took to Facebook to vent their frustration. One person highlighted the limited number of places shoppers can now park in-and-around the high street.
"Stapleford town is falling apart with the roads, hardly any shops and now parking. It’s certainly a town which gets forgotten about."
"It’s beyond a joke . I work full time in Stapleford and have parked here for years .
"I simply cannot afford to pay out to park my car when I earn a pittance. This will affect many other businesses as well and cause a knock on effect. I feel sorry for residents that will now have people parking on their streets.
"So we can't park behind the pub, can't park behind conservative club, can't park behind Sainsbury's, can't park on top of pound stretchers, 1 hour only in Iceland all small roads need a permit."
Off-Street Parking has said they are charging competitive prices to park on the private land.
A spokesperson for Off-street Parking said: "The permit-only car park is situated on private land that has been unmanaged for some time, up until now. Off Street Parking are now operating this land a permit only car park.
"For a 7-Day permit, it is only £25.00. Comparing this to pay and display car parks off the high street in the area, £25 per week is competitive.
"All day parking is £15 per day at some Council car parks. For only £10 more, people can park all week with the additional benefit of knowing that a space will be available for them when they get there.
"For people who drive to the area to work Monday to Friday, who currently pay £15 per day, the annual savings will be massive. We understand that some people have enjoyed parking for free up until now, but this is Private Land at the end of the day.
"A car park management company has been appointed to ensure that space is kept free for people who purchase a permit only. If people who commute to Stapleford would like to enquire about a permit, they are welcome to enquire at info@off-streetparking.com
"Local residents with limited household on-street parking permits or limited parking space are also welcome to enquire."
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