Business

Crowthorne Lidl applies to reduce car park hours to stop free parking problems

By Jennie Slevin
March 06, 2013

A supermarket which has had enough of shoppers taking advantage of its free parking spaces has applied to reduce how long drivers can stay.

The popular Lidl store in Crowthorne has a two-hour maximum stay cap in its car park, however it has now applied to Bracknell Forest Council to change its planning permission to reduce the maximum stay to 90 minutes.

Supermarket bosses believe the car park in High Street, which can hold 51 vehicles, is being misused by a number of shoppers who park their cars and the go to shop elsewhere.

Georgina O’Donnell from Lidl said: “The car park at our Crowthorne store has been offering free parking for two hours, an advantage which has historically left the car park open to overcrowding.

“It is important that our customers are given priority and, unfortunately, we have received customer feedback that they have been unable to park in our car park.

“To tackle this, we have submitted this application to amend the parking time to 90 minutes.”

Last year the store withdrew its application to change the maximum stay as planning officers felt there was not enough evidence, but a survey has now been carried out at the store using cameras to determine exactly how many shoppers are taking advantage of the free parking and how many are shopping at Lidl.

So far four objection letters have been sent to the council.

One objector wrote: “Parking is an issue in the village at times and the car park was intended for use for all the businesses and amenities in the village.

“It should remain as current to ensure the high street as a whole thrives.”

Georgina added: “There is another car park nearby at the Co-op, which offers 90 minutes parking, and there are two council car parks on the periphery of the village centre, so still within very easy walking distance.”

The supermarket chain hopes that by lowering the maximum stay, shoppers will be put off leaving their cars at Lidl if they are not shopping there.

Bracknell Forest council’s planning committee is due to make a decision on the application by April 13.

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Most recent user comments 7 of 7

A business withdrawing their bribe? How unethical!

timespassing
10/03/2013 at 16:48

Posher than Posh Dear Beef. Frugality is the gift of the rich! I hear you Win, endorsed!

Timothy Jefferies, Disgraced Mayor Of Crowthorne.
06/03/2013 at 17:11

There's a Lidl in Crowthorne? I thought you lot were posh.

Beef Cake Argh!
06/03/2013 at 16:44

Changing the time from 120 to 90 minutes free parking for all visitors will not prevent non Lidl shoppers continue to use the car park. The best and most effective way to sort the problem is to install Pay & Display or a Barrier payment system and to refund the payment to shoppers using the store and spending a minimum amount.

Manny Rasores de Toro
06/03/2013 at 16:04

It's strange how promises are forgotten in the mists of time. What's to bet this was their plan all along?

mavdo, Wokingham
06/03/2013 at 13:13

Quite right Timothy.

Talking of being hoodwinked.....

Please visit

http://38degrees.uservoice.com/forums/78585-campaign-suggestions/suggestions/3717893-constituents-of-bracknell-oppose-super-hospital-

and sign my petition if you want a clear debate about health care provision for Bracknell and are opposed to Phillip Lee's 'super hospital'.

Phillip Lee is running multiple campaigns to promote his vision - fair play to him - but he and the local conservatives have shown that they are prepared to quash any dissenting voice on this important matter. He and his propagandists claim 'overwhelming support' for his plans. But locally we have barely had a debate.

All opinions need to be considered and recognised by all sides.

Winstanley, Bracknell
06/03/2013 at 10:54

What Lidl are not saying is that when the shop was originally built, it was promised by the store that all car Parking would be free, EVEN TO THOSE SHOPPERS WHO DID NOT USE THE STORE!. This was a 'sweetener' to the local public by Lidl and a stipulation by the Council due to previous building of the library on a perfectly adequate car park. Time may pass but the people of Crowthorne do not forget. It seems we are being hoodwinked...bad form.