Car parking charges imposed by the council at the new Sainsbury's in Richmond Road, Kingston, have outraged shoppers. Many are now refusing to use the store until the charges are dropped.

The supermarket opened on December 11, expecting to catch the Christmas rush. But staff have privately admitted that business has been badly hit by the 40p per hour parking fees charged by Kingston Council.

Sainsbury's is so concerned it has drawn up an open letter to Kingston Council, available at the store, and is calling on customers to protest about the charges.

Kevin Wheal, who works in Kingston and spent more than £200 in the store in the run up to Christmas, said: "If I have got to pay for parking in future, I will just go elsewhere."

Another Sainsbury's store in neighbouring Surbiton offers two hours free parking to everyone, and a further two to customers who spend more than £5.

But staff at the Richmond Road store said the council will not allow this at their store.

The supermarket chain paid for a new east to west link road to be built as part of its planning application and now the store wants Kingston Council's help.

A council spokesman said: "The parking fees were decided as part of the planning agreement and if they want those to change, they will have to make presentations to us."

Mrs Silver, from Grosvenor Gardens, Kingston, was one of a number of disgruntled shoppers who wrote to the Surrey Comet.

She said: "I was delighted when the new Sainsbury's store opened last week and I have completed three large shopping excursions.

"However, I was disappointed to learn that there is no free parking for Sainsbury's customers.

"To have the joy of an out-of-town large supermarket and then to be charged higher parking fees seems ludicrous."

December 28, 2001 16:00