Co-op Royton parking fines frustrate customers

Customers at Co-op Royton are facing unexpected parking fines after the store's car park was taken over by a London-based landlord who installed ANPR cameras and started enforcing parking rules in bays that aren't even operational yet.

Store manager Darren Ramsden has spoken out about the frustration among shoppers, particularly those who only stop briefly or can't see new signs clearly at night. The electric vehicle charging bays are marked but not working, yet people are still being fined for parking there.

Previously, the store could help cancel fines in special cases, but that's no longer possible since the landlord took direct control. Ramsden says he's raising the issue with the landlord and trying to find a solution, but for now customers are stuck with the new rules.

The situation has sparked over 175 comments on social media, with locals worried it will deter people from shopping at Co-op. Some say the already tight car park will become even more difficult to use, potentially affecting elderly and neurodiverse customers who rely on the store's convenience.