Sainsbury’s buys into bay abuse fines

By Paul Carter

Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has announced it is to begin fining customers who misuse accessible parking spaces at its stores.

18,000 bays across 400 store car parks will be patrolled by uniformed ‘monitors’ on motorbikes, who will have the power to issue £50 fines to offenders.

Sainsbury’s said that in a trial of the scheme at 61 stores last year, the fines improved availability by 70% in just three months.

All of the profits from the scheme will be donated to the charity Mencap.

Helen Smith from the disabled motorists’ charity Mobilise said: “I’m really delighted that Sainsbury’s has decided to fine bay abusers at many more of its stores.

“Mobilise has been campaigning for years for supermarkets to start fining abusers as we believe the only way to stop lazy, inconsiderate people from parking in disabled bays is to hit them where it hurts – their pocket.

“I hope that before long all Sainsbury’s stores will implement fining so disabled people can do their shopping without the worry of finding a parking space."

Gavin Clarke, Sainsbury’s manager of car parks said: “The vast majority of those who shouldn’t be parking in these bays think that because they are just popping in for a few things they won’t cause any inconvenience to the people who really need them. But they do.”

“We’ve tried gentle persuasion, but ‘monitors-on-motorbikes’ is the first scheme that’s produced serious results,” he added.