Asda to bring in car parking charges at Telford town centre site

Bosses of Asda Malinsgate said drivers had been taking advantage of free parking at the store to avoid having to pay to park when visiting Telford Shopping Centre. As a result they will be putting in a pay-and-display machine after Easter.

Drivers will have to pay £1 for an hour and £2 for up to three hours from Monday to Saturday between 6am and 6pm, and £1 for all-day Sunday parking. But outside of those times no charges apply, and Asda will refund parking fees when shoppers spend over £5 in store.

Councillor Shaun Davies, who sits on Telford & Wrekin Council and Great Dawley Town Council, said: "It's disappointing the charges have been introduced and Asda has decided not to consult with shoppers.

"But the £5 is a decent incentive for shoppers like me who will spend that much money in store.

"Clearly Asda is a private company and this is a private car park but I do think there could have been a more intelligent way to solve this issue.

"For instance, in many other Asda car parks people have to produce a coupon at the counter and then they get their parking money back.

"We will continue to support free parking in district and town centres."

Lauren Pell, spokeswoman for Asda, said due to the recent town revamp and car park opposite the store, Asda had to make the decision to put a pay-and-display machine in the car park.

"This will go live in the car park after Easter," she said.

"Any Asda shoppers will have their parking fee refunded when shopping in our store, when they spend over £5.

"Customers using our car park will have their charges refunded at the checkout, but visitors of the town are more than welcome to use the car park for a small fee."

The Malinsgate store had moved from Telford Shopping Centre so supermarket shoppers did not have to pay to park.

Twitter user Daniel Cusack said: "I bet Telford Asda is going to make a fortune."

Asda said the decision was not made lightly and the reason behind the move is due to town centre shoppers taking up spaces for the store's customers.

They hope that, by introducing the charges, supermarket shoppers wishing to use the store car park will find it easier.

The charges will come into force from April 7.