Supermarket parking (1 Viewer)

GJH

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 20, 2007
29,450
38,828
Acklam, Teesside, originally Glossop
Funster No
127
MH
None, now sold
Exp
2006 to 2022
A week ago we were discussing restrictions in supermarket car parks on Broken Link Removed. As a result I sent the following e-mail to the CEOs/MDs of Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Tesco and Waitrose.
As motorhome owners my wife and I appreciate the problems of both finding parking places for a large vehicle (from the point of view of the driver) and providing suitable places (from the point of view of the business owner). From time to time we need to call in at supermarkets in order to stock up with food. Obviously we avoid small car parks and those where it is dangerous to manoeuvre a large vehicle but we do find it helpful when we are able to use larger parking areas.
In years gone by this did not present a problem (and still doesn't in many areas) but we have noted the rise in the necessity for businesses to protect their interests, and those of their genuine customers, by introducing restrictions on parking to combat the abuse of facilities by inconsiderate motorists. There is one of those restrictions which affects motorhome owners, but not owners of smaller vehicles, and that is the requirement for the vehicle to fit into a single bay. The vast majority of motorhome owners - and I am talking about genuine store customers here - will tend to leave their vehicle in a lesser used area of a car park, where it is not in the way of other people and minimises any effects of multiple bay use, but they still face the possibility of an excess charge in car parks with restrictions. What happens then is that people go elsewhere to shop and the business loses custom which it would otherwise have enjoyed.
It would be much appreciated by ourselves and, I am sure, fellow motorhome owners, if you could relax restrictions on single bay usage for owners of large vehicles who are genuine customers. I look forward to your comments as to whether this may be possible.

So far I've had positive responses from
Asda
Thank you for your email to Andy Clarke about the parking for motor homes in at our Asda stores. As part of Andy's team, I'm available on his behalf to respond to any customer issues.
I'm sorry you often find it difficult to park your motor home in our store car parks due to height restrictions and being unable to park in multiple bays. I can certainly understand how frustrating this must be for you and your wife, especially when you just need to call in quickly for some essentials.
We want our customer to be able to use our stores without any hassle. Some of our store car parks do have a height restriction on them and I'm sure you'll appreciate we are unable to remove these at the entrance on request.
[HI]Having said that, you would not be penalised for parking in our stores over more than one bay providing that this is not over our specialist bays. We would advise that this is, as you said in your email, towards the back or quieter areas of the car park. [/HI]
Once again thank you for getting in touch and sharing your concerns. If there is anything else I can help you with, please let me know.
and Tesco
Please accept my apologies in the delay in replying and I thank you for your patience whilst I investigated this for you.
I have spoken with a member of our Car Park and External Space Team who explained our position with regards to your concerns.
We appreciate that our customers have many different modes of transport, whether that be car, foot, public transport and larger vehicles, such as motor homes. [HI]Although we have signs in place, we take each customer circumstances into consideration.[/HI]
The Car Parks Governance has highlighted this issue in a number of stores and is working on a solution. However, in order to get an accurate resolution we expect this to take some time. Different solutions being reviewed include re-introduction of Marshals, technology solution installation and / or store self-ticketing.
I want to assure you that we are reviewing the car park management systems and hope to offer suitable alternatives and solutions in the future. Thank you for your comments and for bringing this to the attention of our Chief Executive's office.
I wasn't quite sure what this meant whilst so asked for clarification and was told
I can confirm that we are working on introducing a new policy which would be for stores nationwide. However in the meantime we will take each of our customer’s situations into consideration and we are relaying that message to our stores currently so you do not receive differing rules depending on which store you visit.
[HI]Please feel free to print a copy of our conversation and take it with you on your trips to any of our stores, in case you are challenged by a member of staff, because not every store is aware that we are currently changing the policy.[/HI]
Unfortunately, a negative response from Morrisons
Thank you for contacting our Chief Executive, Dalton Philips, who has asked me to respond to you on his behalf.
I am very sorry to learn of the problems you are experiencing with regard to parking your motorhome in our car parks. Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience you have been caused.
Your concerns were escalated to our Regional Estates Manager who has advised that our car park restrictions are in place to ensure that sufficient spaces are available for our customers, whatever their vehicle size. [HI]We are therefore unable to accommodate your request for using multiple bays and I regret any disappointment this decision may cause you.[/HI]
I do appreciate you bringing this matter to our attention and sincerely hope that it will not deter you from shopping with us in the future.
I've received acknowledgements from Aldi, Sainsburys and Waitrose but nothing yet from Lidl. I'll post their substantive responses when received.
 

gozomike

Funster Life Member
LIFE MEMBER
Mar 16, 2010
1,001
863
Warwickshire - sometimes - but not often
Funster No
10,652
MH
Wildax Constellation
Exp
Since August 2008
Hi Graham. You are doing a grand job with this. I just wonder if it would be worth a follow up to Morrisons to advise then as we cannot use their car parks that we obviously would not use their shops and that this information is now widely available on the web.

Mike

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

ShiftZZ

LIFE MEMBER
Feb 19, 2008
21,379
84,117
Dark Side of the Moon
Funster No
1,546
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2007
A better appraoch with Morrisons is for as many Funsters as possible e-mail the CEO and say that they are unhappy with the above and they will lose custom if they choose to ignore the issue. At the same time (IMPORTANT) CC the other CEO's at all the other supermarkets, that may well force the issue. :winky:
 
Jun 17, 2012
2,919
9,818
North Essex
Funster No
21,517
MH
Autotrail Delaware
Exp
>12 but <13
Well done Graham for taking the time to enquire.
It does seem foolish of Morrison's but perhaps they don't want to get involved with car-parks as they outsource the administration.

Printing the response of others is worthwhile to challenge the ticket that may still appear.

Thanks

Peter
 
C

Chockswahay

Deleted User
I think Graham was very proactive in his approach. The problem to a small extent is 'their shops,their rules', nobody is forced to shop at these places.

The problem I have is that in all reality I don't really like any of the above supermarkets but I still buy from them because they have something I want..............food......at a good price.

Now, if I put them on my blacklist (which gets longer as I get older :Blush:) the only one who will really lose is me :Eeek:

So my choice would be to just park wisely and clearly out of the way and then advise the store manager or customer desk of my intentions. Most people will react favourably to this.

I should add that my van (when I get it) is only 6 metres so not a real problem for me, but I used to do the same when towing large trailers behind land rovers.

Not ideal perhaps but a workable solution where the need arises.

:thumb:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Vlad The Impaler

Free Member
Apr 22, 2012
1,633
2,227
Rutland
Funster No
20,691
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
Since 2012 but longer in my dreams
I agree let Morissons know the letter they have sent you is being displayed on this and various other websites and could lead to a boycott .
Let them also know how welcoming the rest of their competitors are.

VLAD.
 
Feb 27, 2011
14,671
74,888
UK
Funster No
15,452
MH
Self Build
Exp
Since 2005
Strange this response. The only place I have had trouble was in Asda. A parking attendant came across to me and told me I must fit into a single bay. I had to move nearer to the store where they had flower beds and parked my arse over this so that I was within the bay marking.

Last week I went to Morrisons and pulled into a bay right next to the parking attendant. I asked him if I was ok like that. He took a quick look said "yeah fine mate" and wandered off.:thumb:

I never go during busy times however. I either go evenings or on a sunday.
 
Jan 11, 2010
2,743
9,476
Chester
Funster No
9,901
MH
Auto-trail
Exp
Well that`s our 13th year & still loving it.
thanks Graham

Hi Graham, thanks for this all very informative, here in Chester we are lucky in that Tescos out at Broughton Park have acres of parking so no problem with motorhomes, whilst the Sealand estate store is some smaller so parking there isn`t so easy.
Morrisons on the other hand have tight access in both their Saltney and Chester branch down in Liverpool Road, in fact the Liverpool Road store parking would be impossible for all but the smallest of motorhomes.

Sainsburys over in Huntington again have very tight access so getting motorhome in there would be very difficult.

I would be most interested to know who you wrote to at Morrisons as I would like to write to them also asking the same questions with a view that a customer not catered for is a customer turned away, there is always another store to spend my money in.

Thanks again.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
G

GJH

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 20, 2007
29,450
38,828
Acklam, Teesside, originally Glossop
Funster No
127
MH
None, now sold
Exp
2006 to 2022
Hi Graham. You are doing a grand job with this. [HI]I just wonder if it would be worth a follow up to Morrisons to advise then as we cannot use their car parks that we obviously would not use their shops [/HI]and that this information is now widely available on the web.

Mike

Already done Mike ::bigsmile:
Hi Graham, thanks for this all very informative, here in Chester we are lucky in that Tescos out at Broughton Park have acres of parking so no problem with motorhomes, whilst the Sealand estate store is some smaller so parking there isn`t so easy.
Morrisons on the other hand have tight access in both their Saltney and Chester branch down in Liverpool Road, in fact the Liverpool Road store parking would be impossible for all but the smallest of motorhomes.

Sainsburys over in Huntington again have very tight access so getting motorhome in there would be very difficult.

[HI]I would be most interested to know who you wrote to at Morrisons as I would like to write to them also asking the same questions with a view that a customer not catered for is a customer turned away, there is always another store to spend my money in.[/HI]

Thanks again.

My e-mail went to the CEO, Dalton Philips <dalton.philips@morrisonsplc.co.uk>. The response came from someone in his office called Julie Shaw <customerservice@morrisonsplc.co.uk>.
 
Feb 4, 2010
2,329
1,590
Mid. Glamorgan, S. Wales
Funster No
10,168
MH
Motorhutch / Toy Camper
Exp
Since 2010
You have to laugh at the Morrisons reply...they don't even bother separating the last two sentences to reduce the impact, which can be summarised as:

"Tough sh*t.....by the way, hope you keep shopping with us..." :RollEyes:

And if they say:
Your concerns were escalated to our Regional Estates Manager who has advised that our car park restrictions are in place to ensure that sufficient spaces are available for our customers, whatever their vehicle size.
are they not contradicting that by ignoring motorhome-sized vehicles?

I think they might be going on my list of shops/brands to avoid if possible....which seems to getting longer by the day :Angry:
 
Dec 23, 2007
4,077
6,547
Wirral
Funster No
1,064
MH
Hobby Van Kenobi
Exp
started when I was 11 with my parents-forgot to stop!been real one since 1980!
I think the Morrison CEO gave a similar answer when it was interviewed after the meeting at DEFRA about the 'Horsemeat' affair,it was very verbose!
But what a good promotion for the other stores.
I do think that a personal approach to each individual store manager via customer service could help. it may also build up a list of friendly stores and areas(which GJH may be willing to collate),which may be of interest to local tourist offices.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
G

GJH

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 20, 2007
29,450
38,828
Acklam, Teesside, originally Glossop
Funster No
127
MH
None, now sold
Exp
2006 to 2022
I think the Morrison CEO gave a similar answer when it was interviewed after the meeting at DEFRA about the 'Horsemeat' affair,it was very verbose!
But what a good promotion for the other stores.
I do think that a personal approach to each individual store manager via customer service could help. it may also build up a list of friendly stores and areas(which GJH may be willing to collate),which may be of interest to local tourist offices.

Whilst I'm disappointed with Morrisons answer it does just apply to those stores where there are restrictions in place. Those with no restrictions (such as our local one at Teesside Park) are still available for us.

Store (or rather, Duty) managers may well be amenable to individual approaches at the time when parking is required but I don't think they would risk a written response without involving the central customer service team.
 

johnp10

Free Member
Oct 12, 2009
7,774
15,181
North Lincolnshire
Funster No
8,872
MH
C Class
Exp
8 years ish
Graham, your efforts are greatly appreciated.
However......
I'm a bit sceptical regarding the value of e mailing CEOs on issues like this, or indeed on any issue.
All replies on the parking issue have been "on behalf of the CEO" or from the "CEOs team". None directly from the CEO.
Do they really give a stuff?
Do they need to?
If MHs dont visit a given store due to space issues and continue not visiting because we boycott them, what have they lost?
Nothing. They dont give a toss. We arent talking mega numbers of customers in the great scheme of things.
Vote with your feet and go elsewhere.
 
OP
OP
G

GJH

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 20, 2007
29,450
38,828
Acklam, Teesside, originally Glossop
Funster No
127
MH
None, now sold
Exp
2006 to 2022
In this case, yes, all replies on the parking issue have been "on behalf of the CEO" or from the "CEOs team". However, as I posted on another thread a little while ago, it aries between companies. I've had replies from CEOs in some cases, even on a Sunday. ShiftZZ has as well - and even a phone call from one.

In general, e-mailing a CEO (even if they do not deal with it themselves) takes you to a team with power to do more than just follow a script, which is what the "customer services" teams in many companies are stuck with.

For run of the mill matters I will happily go to a customer services team but where something is out of the ordinary (such as motorhome parking) or something has gone badly wrong then e-mailing the CEO has tended to work in practice.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

johnp10

Free Member
Oct 12, 2009
7,774
15,181
North Lincolnshire
Funster No
8,872
MH
C Class
Exp
8 years ish
In this case, yes, all replies on the parking issue have been "on behalf of the CEO" or from the "CEOs team". However, as I posted on another thread a little while ago, it aries between companies. I've had replies from CEOs in some cases, even on a Sunday. ShiftZZ has as well - and even a phone call from one.

In general, e-mailing a CEO (even if they do not deal with it themselves) takes you to a team with power to do more than just follow a script, which is what the "customer services" teams in many companies are stuck with.

For run of the mill matters I will happily go to a customer services team but where something is out of the ordinary (such as motorhome parking) or something has gone badly wrong then e-mailing the CEO has tended to work in practice.

Thanks for the info, Graham.
I wasnt knocking your efforts, far from it.
I've never had the need, that;s all.
Almost, on one occasion, but it was avoided.
Stand by what I said though, vote with your feet, possibly pointing the customer service set ups to forums like this one.
 

Carol

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 2, 2007
14,044
111,497
North Wales.
Funster No
519
MH
A class
Exp
18 years s Motorhome (33years caravans)
Just a thought Graham, because I am not as ariculate as you or sure what to do, would it be any help if like a template email and addresses to send them to.

Perhaps then if as many of us as wanted could send e mails to the companies and then print the possitive e mails and carry them with us could help.
 

gypsylady

Free Member
Jun 24, 2008
245
104
Durham
Funster No
3,035
MH
A Happy One
Exp
Since 2005
Dont worry about any 'parking tickets'.

Most of these supermarkets employ private parking firms who have NO authority to issue fines.

That being said. We generally find a bay on the edge of the car park so we can overhang some greenery and stay out of the way of the doorside bays.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

yorkshirepudding

Free Member
Nov 7, 2009
1,220
910
Pudsey/Leeds
Funster No
9,220
MH
Thinking of tenting again
Exp
September '09
I have been carrying out a personal boycott of ASDA following a parking issue at their Pudsey store.
I haven't brought them to their knees yet ::bigsmile: but I have the satisfaction that they aren't getting my couple of hundred quid every week. Their parking is enforced by Leeds City Council.
 
OP
OP
G

GJH

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 20, 2007
29,450
38,828
Acklam, Teesside, originally Glossop
Funster No
127
MH
None, now sold
Exp
2006 to 2022
Just a thought Graham, because I am not as ariculate as you or sure what to do, would it be any help if like a template email and addresses to send them to.

Perhaps then if as many of us as wanted could send e mails to the companies and then print the possitive e mails and carry them with us could help.
Printing the answers I received, from this thread, should be sufficient but anyone who wishes to is welcome to copy the e-mail I sent (in the OP) and send it in. CEE e-mail addresses can be found at Link Removed.
 
OP
OP
G

GJH

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 20, 2007
29,450
38,828
Acklam, Teesside, originally Glossop
Funster No
127
MH
None, now sold
Exp
2006 to 2022
[HI]Dont worry about any 'parking tickets'.

Most of these supermarkets employ private parking firms who have NO authority to issue fines.[/HI]

That being said. We generally find a bay on the edge of the car park so we can overhang some greenery and stay out of the way of the doorside bays.

I was actually trying to do something positive and constructive to show motorhome owners as responsible people rather than people who simply take what they want, when they want and ignore others. :Angry:

Remember, all these car parks are private property just like our own drives and gardens. We use the car parks by invitation. Is it too much to expect us to respect the conditions attached to those invitations? :Angry:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Apr 29, 2009
2,316
1,989
West Yorkshire...Halifax
Funster No
6,510
MH
Vanless....BUT....!!!!
Exp
Since 2007
When we were touring bin the UK we used to go to Ferry Meadows a lot.. (One of Dawn's fave UK CC Sites) and beforehand would go and get the groceries from Morrisons in Peterboro we used to park at the far end of the car park opposite the store entrance go do the shopping..BUT always ask if we were OK where we were parked..always an answer to the positive Yep No worries...So we always felt welcome there..and they had cheap diesel then too..So consequently they got a lot of our business we shopped there once and came out to find 3 others parked up with us and they went to Ferry Meadows too!!...Yeovil too was much the same good parking and cheap diesel..obviously with Morrisons it all depends on store management..
The Tesco store in Brighouse was always accomodating..we used to park at the side of the store on a patch of waste ground (well it wasn't built on or tarmacced) and all the store workers used to sit on the fire escape having a smoke (crafty drag no doubt) and the CCTV cameras were on it so we used that and always asked the CCTV operators if it was OK they said yes no worries as long as you don't stay overnight!! so safest parking spot there..I always asked if I was OK to park whichever supermarket we used..and there was never any probs or comebacks..
 

sedge

Funster
Jul 7, 2009
5,494
13,035
Nr Jct 3 M6
Funster No
7,396
MH
C class
Exp
Aug 09 to date 9,000 miles!
I loved the way Morrisons contradicted themselves. 'We ensure all our customers can park, no matter the size of their vehicle' .... followed swiftly by. 'but we won't allow you to be a customer cos your vehicle is too big .....'


:ROFLMAO:
 
Jun 17, 2012
2,919
9,818
North Essex
Funster No
21,517
MH
Autotrail Delaware
Exp
>12 but <13
QUOTE=Larby;715271]Today I went out for a ride in my MH to fetch son from a skiing trip. On the way home I was asked (told) by SHMBO to stop at Morrison's. Now I've never had to park the MH in a supermarket car-park before so what do I do? None of the bays are suitable and parking in a non-designated area is Verboten ! The sign also says no parking outside of the bay. You will see I parked close to a kerb so offside wheels within the width but with a slight ! overhang into 2 "end to end" bays!

You know where this is going!

Am I outside of bays? Well yes as I straddle 2 bays but what can do I do?

[HI]
Would I be a prize for the parking company or do they employ reasonable people with common sense.:ROFLMAO:
[/HI]
I covered myself a bit with instructions to son (25 years of age) to move MH if there is the slighest risk of ticket


What do you do and have you fallen foul of this problem?[/QUOTE]

A lot of ground has been covered on my original thread. As the car-park is managed by a private company then they are more likely to ticket me as I am a source of revenue.
The way I see it is, Morrison's run a grocery business and let the parking company manage the car-park. I would guess the car- parking management get their revenue by ticketing offenders.
I have noted all comments and whilst most of us park considerately and sensibly I still feel we run a risk. When there is an attendant good, but I guess this one is visited by a roving enforcer so Morrison's would not intervene.
No one has said they have had a ticket but there is always the risk.

The Morrison's at Newquay would never accommodate my MH in season so I park nearby. My friend parks in LIDL (next door) and straddles two bays.
I park (for those that know it) in the little tarmac area between the shops to the rear of Mc Donalds then push the trolley through the gap in the hedge!

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
G

GJH

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 20, 2007
29,450
38,828
Acklam, Teesside, originally Glossop
Funster No
127
MH
None, now sold
Exp
2006 to 2022
I've just received a positive response from Aldi:
Our parking controls (through ParkingEye) focus on length of time on site and whilst we want people to park within lines, our current system does not monitor that.

We happily welcome motor homes into all our stores but with an oversize vehicle obviously would appreciate you avoiding peak times as this could impede other shoppers.
 
Jun 17, 2012
2,919
9,818
North Essex
Funster No
21,517
MH
Autotrail Delaware
Exp
>12 but <13
I've just received a positive response from Aldi:

I recall ALDI have increased their sales. With this positive attitude and their prices, no wonder they are a success:thumb:

Oh, and well done GJH on the effort you are putting in.

Peter
 
OP
OP
G

GJH

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 20, 2007
29,450
38,828
Acklam, Teesside, originally Glossop
Funster No
127
MH
None, now sold
Exp
2006 to 2022
A disappointing (lazy?) response from Waitrose:
Thank you for your email of 3rd February to our Managing Director, Mark Price, which has been passed to me to respond on his behalf. I was sorry to learn of the frustrations you have faced as a motor home owner when using our car parks. The majority of our car parks are managed by a third party company, so we are unfortunately unable to comment on the restrictions that are currently in place. If there is a particular branch that you visit regularly I would suggest discussing this matter with a member of the Branch Management team to see if they are able to offer a resolution. Please visit www.waitrose.com to find your local branch using our branch finder facility. I really appreciate you taking the time to contact us with your concerns and for giving me the opportunity to clarify our position and I hope we may look forward to the continued privilege of your custom in the future.

My response:
Thank you for replying.

It is, however, disappointing that Waitrose is unable to comment merely because the "car parks are managed by a third party company". That is the same for Tesco, Asda and Aldi, all of whom have responded that they are happy to accommodate motorhomes and have no qualms about the use of multiple bays.

Realistically that means that motorhome owners will accept that welcome and use those stores rather than Waitrose.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,207
48,831
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
when we go anywhere in the RV the first port of call is for fuel (Morrison dont do LPG here) then onwards to Morrison to stock up provisions.

as you can appreciate, squeezing 34ft length and over 8ft width into a single bay just aint going to happen so i need two bay lengths and encroach into the next two bays widthways..

so, i park in the outer reaches of the carpark and endure the long, long march to the store.

never had a problem yet as that far flung region is rarely, if ever, busy anyway as nobody likes a long walk if they can park close up.

Tesco carpark entrance.....not a hope in hell of getting in there.
Sainsbury...at a push but a bit tight
Aldi.....so small i have trouble manoeuvring my car in there.
 
Last edited:

teddybard

Free Member
Aug 21, 2012
7,448
8,695
warwickshire
Funster No
22,500
MH
c
Exp
5 years
A week ago we were discussing restrictions in supermarket car parks on Broken Link Removed. As a result I sent the following e-mail to the CEOs/MDs of Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Tesco and Waitrose.

So far I've had positive responses from
Asda
and Tesco
I wasn't quite sure what this meant whilst so asked for clarification and was told
Unfortunately, a negative response from Morrisons
I've received acknowledgements from Aldi, Sainsburys and Waitrose but nothing yet from Lidl. I'll post their substantive responses when received.

You might like as part of your campaign to point out exactly how many members there are in our little club and associated clubs:thumb:
might change Morrisons views.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top