Pub's pay and display plan to stop shoppers using car park
Drivers who take advantage of a new car park at an Epworth pub will find themselves in a spot of bother if they ignore a private pay and display enforcement set up by the landlord.
The Red Lion pub, High Street, Epworth, has taken parking enforcement into its own hands by implementing a pay and display ticketing system for users of its car park.
The step at the site – which is often used by motorists looking for a parking space – comes after the licensed premises recently completed work to revamp its parking provisions for customers.
But with parking still an ongoing issue in the town, many motorists have been using the facilities while they nip into town.
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The new scheme, which is due to come into force within the next few weeks, will come as a shock to some motorists, who will have to fork out to park there between 8am and 10pm.
Some motorists have already been handed an advanced warning notice – which has been placed on the windscreens of unauthorised vehicles parked there.
It reads: "Following the recent works carried out to this car park, please be advised that within the next few weeks the Red Lion car park will become a Pay & Display and will be monitored from 8am to 10pm.
"All tickets purchased can be redeemed within the Red Lion Hotel against food and beverages. Those using the Red Lion car park for long term parking can purchase an annual parking permit at a cost of £500 – those not wishing to purchase the permit – please find alternative parking."
But residents and businesses claim other shops on Fountain Court have the right to park there, as do the inhabitants of flats in Fountain Court.
Richard Gravel, owner of D Gravel & Sons, said: "When businesses took over the shop units we were all under the assumption that the parking was there for everybody because the Fountain's Court shops and the Red Lion pub were part of one development.
"The owners of the Red Lion have said they were going to charge for parking before but never carried it out.
"I would have thought that it would do as much harm to customers of the pub as it will other businesses.
"We don't use it out of principle, but some of our customers might.
"But from the Red Lion's point of view, I can see why, because why should they maintain and provide parking for shoppers when the council should be providing it. It's a difficult one – I can see both sides of the argument."
Meanwhile, inappropriate parking in Epworth is causing a stir among the community with delivery vans being spotted blocking the road on the busiest junction in Epworth – High Street with Chapel Street – while parking on the pavement.
Nobody from the Red Lion was available for comment.
Comments
by nick_nick_
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 2:55PM
“and there was me thinking it was the council that owned the parking in front of the pub.
im sure if someone tripped on the cobbles then the pub would be first to point out ownership.”
by HattyTood
Saturday, October 06 2012, 1:00PM
“Has anyone mentioned clamping ?
*re reads article*
nope, no mention of clamping that I can see”
by Sister_Wendy_
Saturday, October 06 2012, 12:39PM
“I have read various posts suggesting that people should park at Wickes. Could I ask that you spare a thought for the customers of the Vet's who use the same car park? Without available spaces, they would have to transport sick, injured and possibly deceased animals over a distance, which is very wrong. Thank you.
Aldi on the other hand...”
by Mozart
Saturday, October 06 2012, 11:18AM
“TO ALL MOTORISTS. The pub landlord is entitled to use pay and display. What he cannot do is try to impose a charge on you if you exceed any time limit that you have not paid for. All he can do is charge a pro-rata rate (i.e If you paid £2.00 for 3 hours and you stay 6 hours then the maximum he can charge you is £4.00). He cannot clamp you-it's illegal on private property. Ignore any other threats.”