TESCO has reimbursed motorists who were fined while legally using its Wokingham car park thanks to furious customers and your Wokingham Today newspaper.
Dozens of readers contacted us to say they were baffled to receive a £70 fine despite leaving their car, sometimes for just a few minutes, in a legal space.
They claimed they were “fobbed off” when they complained to staff at the supermarket and had their appeals rejected by Horizon Parking who are hired by Tesco to manage the car park.
But there was victory for angry shoppers this week who threatened to boycott the Finchampstead Road store after the manager agreed to reimburse all motorists who had been ticketed.
Stephanie Woods, who held a one woman protest outside the supermarket said she was “overjoyed at least someone at Tesco” was taking customer’s complaints seriously.
“I went in to get a few things this week when one of the staff, who turned out to be the manager, approached me,” she said.
“He said he recognised me from the story Wokingham Today wrote about me and other motorists. He was very sympathetic to what had happened.
“He agreed the space, which is near the main entrance, had no restrictions and it was perfectly legal to park there. It seems Horizon had left a camera running so every motorist in that spot got a fine.
“He offered to reimburse mine but I told him I had refused to pay it and he said he would contact Horizon to cancel it and those of anyone who contacted him.
“I don’t mind paying a fine if I am guilty of illegal parking but it is clear that the space hundreds of customers use any day of the week, is quite legal.
“I want to thank Wokingham Today for your help. I know you contacted Tesco’s head office but didn’t receive a replym so it is wonderful he has stepped up where his bosses failed.”
Another reader who did not want to be named said: “I was really angry the store staff just fobbed me off telling me the parking company had nothing to do with them. I had no success either with Horizon who just seem to dish out fines without taking complaints seriously.
“The manager has been wonderful and caring and deserves a medal but Tesco should hang their head in shame. Who knows how many customers have received a fine and paid it when they were legally parked.
“I want to thank Wokingham Today for taking up our case and helping to get a result. I don’t think Tesco would have bothered without you giving publicity to ordinary customers and motorists.”
Wokingham Today managed to speak briefly to the manager who confirmed he would reimburse or cancel fines of customers who contacted him. He also promised to improve signage at the disputed parking area so other motorists would not be charged.
We contacted Tesco’s head office and Horizon Parking but both have ignored requests for comment.
