ANGRY shoppers have criticised supermarket giant Tesco after being slapped with £70 fines for parking at the Wokingham store.
Two women held a protest last weekend outside the entrance to the Finchampstead Road site while holding placards to warn other motorists.
Both were issued tickets for allegedly parking in an unauthorised area by Horizon Parking which monitors the car park for Tesco.
Stephanie Woods and Katherine Riley claim that when they complained to staff at the supermarket they were told “it’s nothing to do with us”.
The two women who have vowed not to return to the Wokingham branch, parked in an unmarked bay in front of the Timpson concession at the front of the store.
” There is absolutely nothing to say you can’t park there. There aren’t any no parking signs or marks on the ground such as yellow lines,” said Stephanie.
“I have left my car in that bay hundreds of times over the years and never received a fine. I was only in Tesco for 10 minutes and was furious when I came out to see the ticket.
“I have seen loads of cars at the spot and there has never been any problem. I went back inside and spoke with the manager, but I was told it was nothing to do with Tesco and I needed to take it up with Horizon.”
Kat said she had regularly parked at the same spot since she moved to Wokingham in 2007 without any problem.
“I showed the manager and a security guard where my car was and asked them if there was any reason why I couldn’t park there,” she explained.
“They said there wasn’t but when I asked them to cancel my ticket they refused saying it had nothing to with Tesco. I told them it had everything to do Tesco who must hire Horizon to regulate the car park and the supermarket has a responsibility to ensure its customers are treated fairly and correctly.
“Tesco likes to boast that every little helps. Well, a £70 fine is not little and helps no one except Horizon and Tesco who probably take a percentage of each fine. They are making money while customers who do nothing wrong are losing money.”
The fines are halved to £35 if paid within a time limit but both women who have appealed say they found the Horizon online site difficult to operate.
Added Stephanie: “I had to go round it several times just to process my appeal which was then turned down.
“There is no one you can speak to, a voice on the phone to whom you can explain the situation which is very frustrating.”
Wokingham Today visited the store, and can confirm there is nothing to indicate people could be ticketed for parking in the bay, which is next to a parking spot for a bus.
When Wokingham Today contacted Horizon Parking, we were told the press office did not take phone calls from journalists and were advised to use an online media form.
Moments later we received an automated response which stated: “Your communication has not yet been read but we are acknowledging that we have received it. We will aim to respond to your communication within 28 days. ”
Tesco has been approached for comment.
