'Tis a while since I've mentioned Tesco. And to think Tesco was the very reason why this blog had its genesis. But I cannot allow the arrival of a medium sized bright yellow sign in Tesco's "free" car park to go unrecorded.
That sign advises customers that they face a hefty fine of £70 after exceeding the new maximum three hour stay. This, the sign says, is in response to those who complain that they cannot find a space: so at least that's something positive. This was the very reason why charges were introduced on the Square by the former Glyndŵr council, well ahead of any other car parks. It's a way of rationing space. It seems people were using Tesco car park to shop in town when Tesco pays for and provides it for the convenience of its customers. What affect this action will have on the nearby craft centre car park we can only speculate.
Introducing a fine system is something of a blunt instrument. Accompanying the sign and near the entrance are two sinister-looking, black, Orwellian cameras placed on a newly installed column. These use number plate recognition software to monitor your parking behaviour. On the 181st minute, Tesco's agent Highway Parking Ltd pays a nominal sum to get your name & address from the DVLA in Abertawe/Swansea. Then, Tesco pops a demand in the post. Just like that, without your knowing it. And if you exceed your stay a second time before you receive the first penalty notice, you'll not know and have to pay twice. Perfectly lawful if slightly unethical.
You wouldn’t expect such unfair treatment from the council. If you exceed your stay in one of the town car parks or on the roadside, you are usually first given a few minutes' latitude, after which you pay £30 if you settle promptly or £60 thereafter. There's a proper appeals mechanism and you still only pay £30 if, after losing an appeal, you lodge the appeal within the £30 period. Compare & contrast Tesco.
In an August post, we argued that the car park Tesco provides comes at a cost. We wondered whether Tesco might introduce a charge similar to that in town. That would be fair and equitable. We meant by installing machines rather than retrospective cameras that catch people unawares.
So, it's not just your purchases that Tesco monitors. It's your movement by car. And, if you visit other Tesco stores, beware. There are similar charges that apply at Tesco Llandudno Junction. Strangely not in Yr Wyddgrug/Mold, though, where ordinary car parking is cheap thanks to what amounts to a subsidy from Tesco following the development of the Broughton Retail Park.
That sign advises customers that they face a hefty fine of £70 after exceeding the new maximum three hour stay. This, the sign says, is in response to those who complain that they cannot find a space: so at least that's something positive. This was the very reason why charges were introduced on the Square by the former Glyndŵr council, well ahead of any other car parks. It's a way of rationing space. It seems people were using Tesco car park to shop in town when Tesco pays for and provides it for the convenience of its customers. What affect this action will have on the nearby craft centre car park we can only speculate.
Introducing a fine system is something of a blunt instrument. Accompanying the sign and near the entrance are two sinister-looking, black, Orwellian cameras placed on a newly installed column. These use number plate recognition software to monitor your parking behaviour. On the 181st minute, Tesco's agent Highway Parking Ltd pays a nominal sum to get your name & address from the DVLA in Abertawe/Swansea. Then, Tesco pops a demand in the post. Just like that, without your knowing it. And if you exceed your stay a second time before you receive the first penalty notice, you'll not know and have to pay twice. Perfectly lawful if slightly unethical.
You wouldn’t expect such unfair treatment from the council. If you exceed your stay in one of the town car parks or on the roadside, you are usually first given a few minutes' latitude, after which you pay £30 if you settle promptly or £60 thereafter. There's a proper appeals mechanism and you still only pay £30 if, after losing an appeal, you lodge the appeal within the £30 period. Compare & contrast Tesco.
In an August post, we argued that the car park Tesco provides comes at a cost. We wondered whether Tesco might introduce a charge similar to that in town. That would be fair and equitable. We meant by installing machines rather than retrospective cameras that catch people unawares.
So, it's not just your purchases that Tesco monitors. It's your movement by car. And, if you visit other Tesco stores, beware. There are similar charges that apply at Tesco Llandudno Junction. Strangely not in Yr Wyddgrug/Mold, though, where ordinary car parking is cheap thanks to what amounts to a subsidy from Tesco following the development of the Broughton Retail Park.