No more free car parks for Hexham shoppers

Drivers will pay 50p an hour, with the first two hours free if they spend £5 in M&S, with the controls in place seven days a week, including bank holidays.

The policy marks something of a U-turn by the Co-op, which earlier this year said there were plans to tighten controls on the car park, but without issuing fines.

But now the signs tell motorists there will be a penalty of £70 for those not buying a ticket.

Margaret Facey, 58, said she used the car park at least twice a week when shopping in Hexham.

Mrs Facey, who lives near Wark, said: "It is more than a little disappointing, especially as they said, or certainly gave the impression, that the free parking would remain.

"I don't know whether it will stop me coming to Hexham, because I will still need to come in, but I'm sure it will put some people off.

"I thought the whole idea was that the new shop would bring people into the town and let them also visit other shops, but this goes against that.

"It looks like the temptation to make money just got too much."

Prior to the new controls being put in place, the car park had been busy, with spaces difficult to find and some motorists leaving their cars there all day.

But in a three-quarters empty car park yesterday afternoon, David Smith, of Causey Hill Road, Hexham, said: "On the one hand you do wonder whether it will stop some people coming to shop in Hexham, because parking can be a bit of a nightmare.

"But then it might also encourage people to walk into town if they can, which would be better for the environment."

A Co-op spokesman said: "With Marks & Spencer moving in and the prospect of further retail tenants on this site, it is essential that we ensure that priority is given to store customers.

"The charges we have introduced are in line with those in council car parks in the town and Marks & Spencer will fully rebate charges if customers spend a minimum level in its store.

"This is common practice at store car parks across the UK and while we have previously flagged up our intention to regulate car parking on the site, it was never our intention to make it free of charge."