Tesco changes to free parking arrangements have led to a customer outcry. The supermarket chain has revised the duration of free parking at an unnamed store – much to the annoyance of evening shoppers.
During the hours between 6am and 8pm, three hours of free parking is permitted. However, patrons arriving from 8pm to midnight now face a one-hour restriction, with the period from midnight to 6am allowing a mere thirty minutes.
A vexed customer took to X to voice their displeasure: “Hey @Tesco I do my shopping at night so I can wander round without my kids and buy nice things that I can hide and eat by myself. It’s a couple of hours to myself once a week. This new policy sucks.”
The shopper elaborated further: “I know to a lot of people this probably seems petty and not a big deal, but to anyone who either has kids or works weird hours and has to shop in the evening, or for anyone neurodivergent, it’s absolutely not okay,” as mentioned in a report by the Mirror.
They added their personal preference for late-night shopping, stating: “I’m aware the store is shut 12-6am, I’m talking about when I like to go at 9pm for a couple of hours when it’s nice and quiet and I can shop in peace.”
Tesco’s latest decision to change their parking times has left customers far from pleased. A clearly irked individual took to social media, remarking: “I second that @Tesco. I know people who suffer with anxiety do their shops at night as it’s quiet and a much more calm atmosphere.”
Meanwhile, another shopper joined the conversation, noting: “I hear you. Shopping for groceries in the evening is bliss! No crowds, no screaming kids, barely any queues, what’s not to like? Poor decision making, Tesco.”
Someone else weighed in on the matter, speculating there could be more to Tesco’s policy change: “It might be because a lot of Tesco car parks get used as boy racer car meets late at night.”
Yet another voice within the community shared their view, saying: “I saw this in the community group yesterday. Very odd decision by Tesco. I agree with the person who said it should be a blanket 3 hours while the store is open and 30 minutes at all other times.”
A representative for Tesco addressed their concerns with an explanation of the new parking strategy: “It is important to us that all our customers can find a space when they visit our stores and, where we have parking limits in place, this is to allow us to better manage spaces, and to deter anti-social behaviour in the car park at night, especially outside of opening hours.”