Hello people,

I know parking spaces have been covered in numerous other threads, but this time I'm actually going to contact some supermarkets/Meadowhall about the matter. Please can we keep this serious (and not merge with other threads please, mods) so that I can refer whoever I contact back to this thread. Obviously people can disagree/discuss as appropriate, but please stay on topic. Remember, if you don't let such establishments know your feelings, they're unlikely to change. Here's your chance - no point using a forum with 30000 members if you don't use your weight occasionally.

Thanks.



I would really appreciate it if supermarkets/shopping centres did the following;

1. Actively try to discourage people parking in spaces set aside for disabled people (yes, even if disabled/able bodied people are just sat waiting in the car - it still means those genuinely in need can't use it). There are usually members of staff around supermarket carparks collecting trolleys etc anyway, perhaps they could monitor people more closely (extra training possibly required).

2. When planning/repainting car parks, please put parent and child spaces further from the entrance (not all the way to one back corner, but somewhere where they're less tempting to people who are "just going to be 2 minutes" or unwilling to walk an extra 30 metres).

3. In car parks that don't already offer such a facillity, perhaps next time they're repainted/refurbished, an area could be set aside close to the entrance for picking up/dropping off (but not for sitting in the car and waiting with/without the engine running).

and finally,
4. Offer a "carry to car" (or "push to car") service to those who need it - not just bag packing. Old people with walking sticks can't push trolleys very easily, neither can women/men looking after children who aren't riding in the trolley, neither can people on crutches. People are proud and often won't ask for a service like this, so it would be fantastic if it was offered routinely.

Some good ideas there babychickens!!

I would like to see more parent and child spaces at Meadowhall - The car park in front of Argos etc has hundreds of disabled spaces that are left empty for much of the time and only a handful of parent and child spaces in the section in front of where Sainsburys used to be !!

Talk about bad planning!!!

Also....

Can I just say I prefer to park in a parent and child space not for being nearer to the door but to protect other people cars from damage which maybe parked around me!!

Despite constant nagging to be careful my kids just throw open the doors and forget to consider the possibility of the restriction of space and could damage the vehicles parked alongside!!

The designers of family cars like Galaxys/Zafiras/Picassos should always fit a side closing door like they have on many people carriers....would be sooo much easier and I am sure it would reduce the number of incidents of coming back to your car and finding a nice door dent on your car because of careless kids!!

:)

With regard to parent and child parking I would say that I personally think its best where the parking spaces are next to some kind of car free walkway or pavement that then leads to a zebra crossing in front of the entrance to the store. That way you can unload child/pushchair and get sraight on to the pavement and away from the terrifying danger of the carpark where people are too busy cruising for spaces to notice loose children!

I also support the idea of some kind of parking attendant who patrols the disabled AND parent and child spots to prevent abuse of thes spaces, who would also allow a bit of flexability between the disabled spots and Parent and child spots (once when I was parking in the parent and child spots a little old disabled lady came to ask me if I thought anyone would mind if she parked in the Parent and child spots as the disabled spots were all full and she didn't want to inconvenience any one.... Ahhh)

Hello people,

I know parking spaces have been covered in numerous other threads, but this time I'm actually going to contact some supermarkets/Meadowhall about the matter. Please can we keep this serious (and not merge with other threads please, mods) so that I can refer whoever I contact back to this thread. Obviously people can disagree/discuss as appropriate, but please stay on topic. Remember, if you don't let such establishments know your feelings, they're unlikely to change. Here's your chance - no point using a forum with 30000 members if you don't use your weight occasionally.

Thanks.






I would really appreciate it if supermarkets/shopping centres did the following;

1. Actively try to discourage people parking in spaces set aside for disabled people (yes, even if disabled/able bodied people are just sat waiting in the car - it still means those genuinely in need can't use it). There are usually members of staff around supermarket carparks collecting trolleys etc anyway, perhaps they could monitor people more closely (extra training possibly required).

2. When planning/repainting car parks, please put parent and child spaces further from the entrance (not all the way to one back corner, but somewhere where they're less tempting to people who are "just going to be 2 minutes" or unwilling to walk an extra 30 metres).

3. In car parks that don't already offer such a facillity, perhaps next time they're repainted/refurbished, an area could be set aside close to the entrance for picking up/dropping off (but not for sitting in the car and waiting with/without the engine running).

and finally,
4. Offer a "carry to car" (or "push to car") service to those who need it - not just bag packing. Old people with walking sticks can't push trolleys very easily, neither can women/men looking after children who aren't riding in the trolley, neither can people on crutches. People are proud and often won't ask for a service like this, so it would be fantastic if it was offered routinely.

Tesco in my area already do all the things you want done!

Good idea's.
I'm a motorbike rider and have a sugestion
Please make m/b parking places more visible! I've been to many car parks where m/b parking is available, but i've only found it after riding around the whole place. I am reluctant to take a whole parking space with only a small bike...

I think that the disabled spaces should be actively policed, but there should be far fewer of them. At some shops it is clear that many of the people parking in them have nothing wrong with them (whether they have a badge or not) but there are still empty spaces.

Good idea's.
I'm a motorbike rider and have a sugestion
Please make m/b parking places more visible! I've been to many car parks where m/b parking is available, but i've only found it after riding around the whole place. I am reluctant to take a whole parking space with only a small bike...

That's a fantastic point - if i knew how to edit my poll (i don't think i can) i would add that as an option - maybe put you guys in next to parent and child spaces, as motorbikers tend to be fairly vigilant (in my experience) so are less likely to run sprogs over.

My suggestion is that you stay at home.

My suggestion is that you stay at home.


thanks. that's really constructive. if you find it so boring (yes, not a thrilling subject, i know) that you have to offer such helpful comments, perhaps you could consider just leaving it alone. i'm actually trying to do something that some people might just find helpful.

Annoys me to see people parking in disabled spaces when they aren't, but to be honest they could do away with parent and child spaces altogether. Since when did having a bawling sprog entitle you to be able to get preferential parking?

thanks. that's really constructive.

No problem! ;) :thumbsup:

Annoys me to see people parking in disabled spaces when they aren't, but to be honest they could do away with parent and child spaces altogether. Since when did having a bawling sprog entitle you to be able to get preferential parking?
You haven't got kids, please refer to previous threads on this matter because someone will get really cross with you for this comment, I already am!

I'd especially like to see more parent and child spaces and to see them enforced. With twins I struggle to get out of my car and get them into their pram safely and I simply cannot do it without decent parking space.
I'd prefer it was near the doors in order to reduce the car park rally driver gamble but if the restrictions were enforced (like with those big lovely stickers that Tesco have or some short term attendants) I reckon the abusers will soon stop it.
Meadowhall seems to have far too many disability spaces and not enough parent and child.
Tesco is pretty good on Abbeydale Road but they often get full.
B&Q doesn't have enough. The Heeley Retail park doesn't have any, nor the Queens Retail Park or Makro.
The retail park at Crystal Peaks doesn't have enough parent and child spaces although in fairness they do alternate disability with p/c spaces. On the top part there are none (outside Homebase or whatever it is).
Homebase at Woodseats have two parent/child spaces which is utterly pathetic.
Sainsburys in Crystal Peaks have got a few spaces, not really enough, but keep their twin baby friendly trollies indoors - which means I can't use them unless I can get someone to fetch me one since I have twins and I won't leave them in the car.
The rest of Crystal Peaks has about 6 spaces which are normally used by disabled people because there isn't enough disability space.
Sheffield City Centre has no council parent and child spaces other than those in the multi storey car parks. There are far too few of those.
John Lewis's spaces are a joke. The extra wide spaces on the roof are useless with twins.
Asda doesn't have enough parent and child spaces either and every time I go there I spend ages hovering protectively near cars with returning families. But to their credit the spaces are in the right place, except for the cash machine dashers.
It's time retailers got to grips with the rise of multiple births and it's impact on parking and the requirement of parenting facilities.
Babychickens, if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. I've actually got a letter somewhere on my pc just waiting to wing it's way to certain places.

We'd all like our lives made easier because of our lifestyle choices wouldn't we?

Fact is, there is no reason at all that you should get priority over anyone else at Tesco.

We'd all like our lives made easier because of our lifestyle choices wouldn't we?

Fact is, there is no reason at all that you should get priority over anyone else at Tesco.


it isn't a question of priority, most of the above suggestions are about practicality. although not everyone will agree, you'll notice that i've suggested that parent/child spaces be moved further from the entrance, which would hopefully mean more spaces (as they're narrower)closer to the entrance for child-free people and less trouble parking for those who would like to use a parent/child space for practical reasons other than proximity to the entrance.

if you're just spoiling for an argument, meaks, please can you find a different thread to do so. while some of your posts can be really amusing, i really would like to keep this thread constructive. thanks.

Hun, you're a star - this is much more what i was hoping for - details of places to contact with suggestions about the parking arrangements.

personally, while i'd love to see parking spaces enforced better, i suspect it's much easier to get parent/child spaces moved elsewhere, but i take your point about the safety through carpark issue. when i write the letters i shall certainly include that point. Actually, there is something you could do to help - when this thread has been running for a while so that we can see what people really think, perhaps you could send a few letters off, too? i doubt many establishments will listen to a one-off letter, but if they get a few they might take more notice. if we get any results, perhaps we should move on to baby change facillities that aren't big enough for twins...

You haven't got kids, please refer to previous threads on this matter because someone will get really cross with you for this comment, I already am!

I'd especially like to see more parent and child spaces and to see them enforced. With twins I struggle to get out of my car and get them into their pram safely and I simply cannot do it without decent parking space.
I'd prefer it was near the doors in order to reduce the car park rally driver gamble but if the restrictions were enforced (like with those big lovely stickers that Tesco have or some short term attendants) I reckon the abusers will soon stop it.
Meadowhall seems to have far too many disability spaces and not enough parent and child.
Tesco is pretty good on Abbeydale Road but they often get full.
B&Q doesn't have enough. The Heeley Retail park doesn't have any, nor the Queens Retail Park or Makro.
The retail park at Crystal Peaks doesn't have enough parent and child spaces although in fairness they do alternate disability with p/c spaces. On the top part there are none (outside Homebase or whatever it is).
Homebase at Woodseats have two parent/child spaces which is utterly pathetic.
Sainsburys in Crystal Peaks have got a few spaces, not really enough, but keep their twin baby friendly trollies indoors - which means I can't use them unless I can get someone to fetch me one since I have twins and I won't leave them in the car.
The rest of Crystal Peaks has about 6 spaces which are normally used by disabled people because there isn't enough disability space.
Sheffield City Centre has no council parent and child spaces other than those in the multi storey car parks. There are far too few of those.
John Lewis's spaces are a joke. The extra wide spaces on the roof are useless with twins.
Asda doesn't have enough parent and child spaces either and every time I go there I spend ages hovering protectively near cars with returning families. But to their credit the spaces are in the right place, except for the cash machine dashers.
It's time retailers got to grips with the rise of multiple births and it's impact on parking and the requirement of parenting facilities.
Babychickens, if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. I've actually got a letter somewhere on my pc just waiting to wing it's way to certain places.

Hubby works long hours and I have no family in Sheffield so when I go shopping it is just me and baby. This means:

a) I need to park somewhere I can open the door wide enough to lift baby and car seat out (as car seat fits onto wheeled chassis);

b) to do so safely the space should ideally be wide enough to open the car door fully, not have traffic passing (so not on road side) and not be on a slope or next to a pavement with a high kerb;

c) to do a supermarket shop I need a trolley which I can place the car seat in safely. Such trolleys must be near to where I park. To wheel baby to find a trolley (as in Sainsbury's Crystal Peaks) defeats the object;

d) a design of trolley that will carry a car seat and still allow me to see where i'm going would be a distinct advantage;

e) I don't necessarily need to be right next to the entrance to the store, I do however appreciate such spaces to be located sensibly avoiding passing traffic and crossing in the path of traffic in order to access the store;

Some sort of trolley that can attach to the front of an average buggy/pram/pushchair (a bit like those that can attach to the front of wheelchairs) would be cool.

Having staff who appreciate the difficulties faced by people trying to juggle shopping with looking after children would also be appreciated.

Some sort of signage informing people of the location of child-friendly parking spaces along with patrols to reduce the abuse of the spaces would be greatly appreciated.

Why should you do this? Because I for one no longer shop (spend hubby's hard earned cash) in places where child-friendly parking spaces are not available.

well, as several mums have pointed out, perhaps various baby-friendly trolleys should be kept by the parent and child spaces - i shall add this to my letters.

keep 'em coming!

Just thought i'd share one of my experiences with you:

Went to supermarket at Crystal Peaks for first time on my own with baby recently. No 'wide' parent & child spaces so I parked across two spaces in order to make sure I could open the car door wide enough to get baby out without banging our/anyone elses car.

Couldn't find any trolleys to fit car seat in, so got one of the smaller 'shopper' trolleys. This meant pushing baby in pushchair and pulling trolley behind me. Met some lovely other shoppers :) who could see the obvious limitations of shopping like this and were extremely helpful. NO shop assistants were remotely helpful. Managed ok until I left the store to make my way to the car. Taxi's parked across the entrance made getting onto the road extremely difficult. No 'off road' access to where the car was parked. Pushing pushchair down the slight slope was bad enough, pulling a loaded trolley was virtually impossible, it kept veering off in all directions. It was a real struggle and I had tears of frustration.

When I eventually got back to the car I propped the trolley up against the boot (to stop in rolling away into someone elses car) and placed pushchair at the side of the car so that I could lift the car seat off the chassis and into the car, then stand and secure the seat safely. A driver went past in a sporty car and gave me a load of verbal about taking up two parking spaces etc. There were plenty of other empty spaces, just no child-friendly spaces and it meant the driver would have had to walk an extra couple of metres - big deal :rant:

Just thought i'd share one of my experiences with you:

Went to supermarket at Crystal Peaks for first time on my own with baby recently. No 'wide' parent & child spaces so I parked across two spaces in order to make sure I could open the car door wide enough to get baby out without banging our/anyone elses car.

Couldn't find any trolleys to fit car seat in, so got one of the smaller 'shopper' trolleys. This meant pushing baby in pushchair and pulling trolley behind me. Met some lovely other shoppers :) who could see the obvious limitations of shopping like this and were extremely helpful. NO shop assistants were remotely helpful. Managed ok until I left the store to make my way to the car. Taxi's parked across the entrance made getting onto the road extremely difficult. No 'off road' access to where the car was parked. Pushing pushchair down the slight slope was bad enough, pulling a loaded trolley was virtually impossible, it kept veering off in all directions. It was a real struggle and I had tears of frustration.

When I eventually got back to the car I propped the trolley up against the boot (to stop in rolling away into someone elses car) and placed pushchair at the side of the car so that I could lift the car seat off the chassis and into the car, then stand and secure the seat safely. A driver went past in a sporty car and gave me a load of verbal about taking up two parking spaces etc. There were plenty of other empty spaces, just no child-friendly spaces and it meant the driver would have had to walk an extra couple of metres - big deal :rant:

Oh dear, that all sounds a bit stressfull. When my little boy was that sort of age I used to go all hormonal and start shouting in those sorts of situations.

Can we have an option to vote for less disabled parking spaces please? They're always half empty!

Can we have an option to vote for less disabled parking spaces please? They're always half empty!

I agree, not necassarily at meadowhall as those disabled spots seem to be well used, but at the supermarkets the disabled spaces always seem to be underused.

Also there should be loads more parent and child spaces at meadowhall. Maybe a whole carpark full? Also, the parent and child spaces at meadowhall are very poorly signposted.

Why not jus make the whole of every car park in the entire country only for disabled and mothers. Maybe other people can get into Meadowhall some other way... by catapult?

All car parking to be just for disabled and mothers :loopy: Yup, like that's a well reasoned and sensible contribution isn't it - care to challenge Gordon Brown for position of PM in waiting :P

One little flaw in your suggestion - what about dads? Parent's are generally made up of a mum and a dad - where I live anyway :D

Why not jus make the whole of every car park in the entire country only for disabled and mothers. Maybe other people can get into Meadowhall some other way... by catapult?

what I meant was, you know in Meadowhall there are several different car parks. There's one called the yellow car park, one called the blue car park, one called the red car park etc.

What I thought might be a good idea is what if one of those car parks could be a dedicated parent and child /disabled car park. So then everyone parking there would know exactly where to go, it could be specifically designed with wider spaces, frequent walkways and everyone driving in there would know to drive extra carefully.

Can I just say I prefer to park in a parent and child space not for being nearer to the door but to protect other people cars from damage which maybe parked around me!!

That's why I actively avoid parking next to people carriers haha.

I try to park next to more expensive cars as they would appear to take more care of their car and have a bit more consideration when opening the door.

But back to the topic. The only reason I can see the need for parent & toddler spots to be placed near the door is to avoid having to cross busy supermarket car parks with kids. Maybe they could be put further away, but still on a side that won't mean having to cross the car park to get the the entrance.

what I meant was, you know in Meadowhall there are several different car parks. There's one called the yellow car park, one called the blue car park, one called the red car park etc.

What I thought might be a good idea is what if one of those car parks could be a dedicated parent and child /disabled car park. So then everyone parking there would know exactly where to go, it could be specifically designed with wider spaces, frequent walkways and everyone driving in there would know to drive extra carefully.

So if this was put in place, would it mean they weren't allowed to park in the other car parks?

So if this was put in place, would it mean they weren't allowed to park in the other car parks?

How would that follow?

How would that follow?

Did you not understand my question?

You say it's a good idea to have a dedicated parent & toddler car park.

So what if that was half empty because the people going to meadowhall with kids wanted to park closer? Leaving even less spaces for everyone else (due to a usually full car park being half empty).

Did you not understand my question?

You say it's a good idea to have a dedicated parent & toddler car park.

So what if that was half empty because the people going to meadowhall with kids wanted to park closer? Leaving even less spaces for everyone else (due to a usually full car park being half empty).

I understand your question. I just dont understand why it would follow that because there would be a dedicated car park for disabled people or parent and child places that those people wouldn't be able to park elsewhere if they wished to.

I find it very unlikely that a such a carpark at meadowhall would be underutilised, as the current spaces that they have are always full, I have literally never been able to find an empty parent and child space.

I would think if it was half empty you'd likely find that the rest of the carparks would also be half empty.

it is clear that many of the people parking in them have nothing wrong with them (whether they have a badge or not).
Dr KenH.
Take this away with you.
Someone parked in a disabled space in Asda, An Asda worker went up to the driver and said "You don't look Disabled"

To which he replied "You don't look stupid, lets call it a draw"
There is much more to some peoples disabilities than just being able to walk.

Dr KenH.
Take this away with you.
Someone parked in a disabled space in Asda, An Asda worker went up to the driver and said "You don't look Disabled"

To which he replied "You don't look stupid, lets call it a draw"
There is much more to some peoples disabilities than just being able to walk.

I obviously don't know whether one particular individual is disabled or not. However, if I see several cars pull up and an apparently able bodied person get out of each vehicle then I might jump to conclusions. I have seen very frail elderly people being helped all the way across the car park while there are masses of empty places in the disabled area. I have also seen young, fit looking people, park in disabled spots and use a badge. I have seen about every variation in between. However, the number of obviously disabled people, for example in wheelchairs or struggling to walk, that I see on any one trip is usually very small.

I obviously don't know whether one particular individual is disabled or not. However, if I see several cars pull up and an apparently able bodied person get out of each vehicle then I might jump to conclusions.
Indeed you might.:thumbsup:

I have seen very frail elderly people being helped all the way across the car park while there are masses of empty places in the disabled area. .

I agree, there should also be provision for tose who dont qualify for a disabled badge but do have difficulty walking.

Hubby works long hours and I have no family in Sheffield so when I go shopping it is just me and baby. This means:

a) I need to park somewhere I can open the door wide enough to lift baby and car seat out (as car seat fits onto wheeled chassis);

b) to do so safely the space should ideally be wide enough to open the car door fully, not have traffic passing (so not on road side) and not be on a slope or next to a pavement with a high kerb;

c) to do a supermarket shop I need a trolley which I can place the car seat in safely. Such trolleys must be near to where I park. To wheel baby to find a trolley (as in Sainsbury's Crystal Peaks) defeats the object;

d) a design of trolley that will carry a car seat and still allow me to see where i'm going would be a distinct advantage;

e) I don't necessarily need to be right next to the entrance to the store, I do however appreciate such spaces to be located sensibly avoiding passing traffic and crossing in the path of traffic in order to access the store;

Some sort of trolley that can attach to the front of an average buggy/pram/pushchair (a bit like those that can attach to the front of wheelchairs) would be cool.

Having staff who appreciate the difficulties faced by people trying to juggle shopping with looking after children would also be appreciated.

Some sort of signage informing people of the location of child-friendly parking spaces along with patrols to reduce the abuse of the spaces would be greatly appreciated.

Why should you do this? Because I for one no longer shop (spend hubby's hard earned cash) in places where child-friendly parking spaces are not available.

Comments like these just highlights the namby-pamby state we are living in, it makes me wonder how I ever brought up two sons in the days before people carriers and out of town shopping centres.

God knows how my parents brought up 3 kids with out a car never mind a privileged space to but it in.

:huh:

come on folks, more votes please!

The polls messy, you only get 1 choice.

The polls messy, you only get 1 choice.


don't understand - i set it up so you can choose many options (vote more than once).

It never ceases to surprise me how sour and unpleasant some people can be about car parking spaces. What is wrong with you, Meaks, etc? You need to take a really good look at your attitudes to other people.

The vast majority of parking places are normal width and spaced all over the car park, from very near the door to a short little walk to the door. What on earth is your problem with providing a few spaces that make the lives of people with a few more encumbrances than you a little easier - be that babies, toddlers, or disabilities? For crying out loud, it's not like they take up the whole car park! Honestly, get a grip on yourselves. Is it really that painful to you to see something provided to aid other people?

As for what I need, it is a wide, safe space to get my toddler safely into and out of the car/shopping trolley without hitting the doors of these people who can't stand to see anyone get something they don't have, or at worst, finding myself entirely stranded because I can't get the door open wide enough on either side to insert wriggling toddler into car seat.
One memorable time, my husband had to find a kind soul (with five yodelling sprogs of her own, so unlikely to kidnap ours, or at least unable to run very fast) to hold our baby while he pulled the car out so he could get enough room to get the baby in.
Monday I got trapped in Heeley Retail car park because people parked too close either side.

We're not asking for the space so we can swan in and out of our cars, throwing wide the doors for the hell of it. We do it because you actually do need more space to pull kids in and out of cars. And to keep them safe.

And MAlky, I don't give a flying fig if people had to cope without them in the good old days, either - shame on you for begrudging people something that's now provided to help people who previously struggled a little more than the rest, particularly if it was you who struggled.
Where improvements are being made, they should be welcomed and encouraged.

Why have all this messing about with surveys and endless requests for privileged parking, if it bothers you that much just ring them up and have your shopping delivered.

4. Offer a "carry to car" (or "push to car") service to those who need it - not just bag packing. Old people with walking sticks can't push trolleys very easily, neither can women/men looking after children who aren't riding in the trolley, neither can people on crutches. People are proud and often won't ask for a service like this, so it would be fantastic if it was offered routinely.

When I worked at Millhouses Tesco back in 1996, this service was advertised and offered. In fact I made a point of asking people if they wanted assitance to the car as it got me out of the store for ten minutes.

Has something changed?

And MAlky, I don't give a flying fig if people had to cope without them in the good old days, either - shame on you for begrudging people something that's now provided to help people who previously struggled a little more than the rest, particularly if it was you who struggled.
Where improvements are being made, they should be welcomed and encouraged.

Where did that come from, I commented on the namby-pamby state of it all, its only a question of time before we have a drive through supermarket, you will not even have to get out of your car then!

Why have all this messing about with surveys and endless requests for privileged parking, if it bothers you that much just ring them up and have your shopping delivered.

have you not read the original post? I'm trying to find out what people want so that i can encourage change to find in with current attitudes. as cosywolf says, shame on you for begrudging help for others who would like it.

constructive comments (or constructive criticism, if that be your choice) pelase.

why not get it delivered? perhaps some people like to leave the house, get the shopping when they want, not do all their shopping on the internet, and not have to specify a 2 hours time slot for their shopping to arrive (incomplete due to stock levels). the purpose of this thread is really very narrow - i'm only interested in parking matters.

When I worked at Millhouses Tesco back in 1996, this service was advertised and offered. In fact I made a point of asking people if they wanted assitance to the car as it got me out of the store for ten minutes.

Has something changed?

no, probably not, it's just that i've never seen it offered - perhaps that's the shops i use, or perhaps that it's been tried before and didn't catch on, or perhaps it's that you have decent manners! i'm trying to use this thread to find out information such as what you've just said, so thank you - i shall bear that in mind when i write my letters.

have you not read the original post? I'm trying to find out what people want so that i can encourage change to find in with current attitudes. as cosywolf says, shame on you for begrudging help for others who would like it.

constructive comments (or constructive criticism, if that be your choice) pelase.

why not get it delivered? perhaps some people like to leave the house, get the shopping when they want, not do all their shopping on the internet, and not have to specify a 2 hours time slot for their shopping to arrive (incomplete due to stock levels). the purpose of this thread is really very narrow - i'm only interested in parking matters.


You have obviously not read my thread I don’t begrudge anybody anything, what I am saying is I fail to see why anybody (other than genuine disabled people) should have privileged parking.
People have managed in the past, why this sudden need for special dispensation, is having a child some form of disability.
If your only concern in live is will there be a special place reserved for you when you go shopping I think you are a very lucky person.

I shop at Tesco, Infirmary Road and the trolly parks really annoy me. If you reverse your car into the bay with the path behind - (which I assume is there so you can walk up the path into the shop and back and load your boot safely) if the bays alongside you are full you have to walk round the car park to put your trolley away bacause the trolley bays aren't open at both ends. I have seen attendants pushing trolleys between the parked cars so I'm not surprised there are so many cars with nice long scratches down the side.

You have obviously not read my thread I don’t begrudge anybody anything, what I am saying is I fail to see why anybody (other than genuine disabled people) should have privileged parking.
People have managed in the past, why this sudden need for special dispensation, is having a child some form of disability.
If your only concern in live is will there be a special place reserved for you when you go shopping I think you are a very lucky person.

What skin is it off your nose?

No one said anything about not having any thing better to worry about, this is just a thread for suggestions about how supermarkets could improve their services, get a life.

IMHO people should be encouraged to use public transport or shop online more, so that they need fewer car park spaces and the land used for more parks :thumbsup:

If all car parking spaces were made a little bit wider, it would do away with the need for parent and toddler spaces, I have trouble opening my doors to let myself out let alone trying to get my grandaughter out of the baby seat and into her pram. I agree there are too many disabled spaces at Meadowhall, but some of them are needed.

What skin is it off your nose?

No one said anything about not having any thing better to worry about, this is just a thread for suggestions about how supermarkets could improve their services, get a life.


Get a live !!! I like your style, pot kettle. Kettle pot and all that.

Shall we discuss what colour you would like these spaces painting is that something worthy of discussion, perhaps we could get a list of colours in the survey, give me a break.


:loopy:

Get a live !!! I like your style, pot kettle. Kettle pot and all that.

Shall we discuss what colour you would like these spaces painting is that something worthy of discussion, perhaps we could get a list of colours in the survey, give me a break.


:loopy:
You obviously don't have any worries about parking then. Maybe one day when you're old and can't walk you may need to use some of these places. Don't patronise people for trying to help less fortunate people than yourself.

If all car parking spaces were made a little bit wider, it would do away with the need for parent and toddler spaces, I have trouble opening my doors to let myself out let alone trying to get my grandaughter out of the baby seat and into her pram. I agree there are too many disabled spaces at Meadowhall, but some of them are needed.

Good idea, or what about people driving “normal “ cars instead of 4x4 off-roaders or vans with windows in.

Good idea, or what about people driving “normal “ cars instead of 4x4 off-roaders or vans with windows in.


I hate 4x4's, I drive a normal 2 door polo.

You obviously don't have any worries about parking then. Maybe one day when you're old and can't walk you may need to use some of these places. Don't patronise people for trying to help less fortunate people than yourself.

I think we all agree disabled spaces are justifiable do try and keep up.

Malky, hun, you clearly have a bee in your bonnet about other issues - for instance you seem to think we're all driving 4x4s around, which upsets you - you're making assumptions. My little two door Punto hardly fits into the huge car category.

If you have nothing constructive to say, and really can't get your head around the fact that some places offer helpful services to people who aren't you, please go find another thread to post on, this one clearly has nothing to do with you.

However, if you would like to offer a sound, practical reason apart from your own personal annoyance why this service shouldn't be offered, I'm sure we'd all be interested to hear it.

If you have nothing constructive to say, and really can't get your head around the fact that some places offer helpful services to people who aren't you, please go find another thread to post on, this one clearly has nothing to do with you..

Seems to me he's more annoyed at the fact that some places discriminate against him, in favour of families with children.

I'm pretty sure that's illegal actually...

Malky, hun, you clearly have a bee in your bonnet about other issues - for instance you seem to think we're all driving 4x4s around, which upsets you - you're making assumptions. My little two door Punto hardly fits into the huge car category.

If you have nothing constructive to say, and really can't get your head around the fact that some places offer helpful services to people who aren't you, please go find another thread to post on, this one clearly has nothing to do with you.

However, if you would like to offer a sound, practical reason apart from your own personal annoyance why this service shouldn't be offered, I'm sure we'd all be interested to hear it.

Why is an opposing point of view seen as being not constructive, I am merely questioning why these spaces are necessary. It seems to me there are two obvious reasons, people get vehicles that are to big to fit in to standard parking spaces or people are to idle to walk across a car park. What as suddenly changed to justify giving one group of able-bodied people preferred parking over another group of people?

Any suggestion that people with opposing points of view should find another thread is absurd,:huh: forums live on debate, the day they become back-patting self appreciation societies is the day they die.

:thumbsup:

Why is an opposing point of view seen as being not constructive, I am merely questioning why these spaces are necessary. It seems to me there are two obvious reasons, people get vehicles that are to big to fit in to standard parking spaces or people are to idle to walk across a car park. What as suddenly changed to justify giving one group of able-bodied people preferred parking over another group of people?

Any suggestion that people with opposing points of view should find another thread is absurd,:huh: forums live on debate, the day they become back-patting self appreciation societies is the day they die.

:thumbsup:

No one said they were a necessity. They are there as a courtesy to parents, to make life a little easier. It is jolly nice of the supermarkets to provide them.

This thread is about ways in which supermarkets could improve this particular aspect of their service that they offer voluntarily. So you are debating in the wrong place. there are other threads about whether or not there should be mother and child spaces, why don't you go there and stop moaning on here?

No one said they were a necessity. They are there as a courtesy to parents, to make life a little easier. It is jolly nice of the supermarkets to provide them.

This thread is about ways in which supermarkets could improve this particular aspect of their service that they offer voluntarily. So you are debating in the wrong place. there are other threads about whether or not there should be mother and child spaces, why don't you go there and stop moaning on here?

Where did moaning come in to it, I simply posed the question WHY.

Why are parents today less able than parents of say just a few years ago when child parking spaces where unheard of ?

Why is an opposing point of view seen as being not constructive, I am merely questioning why these spaces are necessary. It seems to me there are two obvious reasons, people get vehicles that are to big to fit in to standard parking spaces or people are to idle to walk across a car park. What as suddenly changed to justify giving one group of able-bodied people preferred parking over another group of people?

The reason you need parent friendly spaces is because many spaces are so narrow that for any car it can be a challenge to open door and squeeze out without banging the car next to you. I'm fit and healthy, yet I find it a challenge at times getting out of a car at Centertainment for example. The spaces are too small and many people do not park squarely in them.
Where did moaning come in to it, I simply posed the question WHY.
Why are parents today less able than parents of say just a few years ago when child parking spaces where unheard of ?Because parking spaces are smaller than they used to be. How difficult is that to understand.You're coming across as being very negative and moany, it has to be said.

Because parking spaces are smaller than they used to be. How difficult is that to understand.You're coming across as being very negative and moany, it has to be said.

Or cars are bigger, some a lot bigger, but that’s a subject for a different thread apparently so it can’t be discussed here.

As the o/p states:-

” Please can we keep this serious (and not merge with other threads please, mods) so that I can refer whoever I contact back to this thread”

I will leave you to discus the merits of privileged parking but don’t forget when you have got a whole car park to your self (which as been suggested) somebody is going to end up still walking across the car park.

If its not a spot outside the front door that is needed why not campaign for bigger parking spaces full stop, could that be added to the poll, or would that be construed as a negative comment , I wouldn’t want to be seen as moaning again.

Why is an opposing point of view seen as being not constructive, I am merely questioning why these spaces are necessary. It seems to me there are two obvious reasons, people get vehicles that are to big to fit in to standard parking spaces or people are to idle to walk across a car park. What as suddenly changed to justify giving one group of able-bodied people preferred parking over another group of people?

Any suggestion that people with opposing points of view should find another thread is absurd,:huh: forums live on debate, the day they become back-patting self appreciation societies is the day they die.

:thumbsup:

As several of us have stated, people who use these spaces are not necessarily driving big cars - mine is a Punto, for heaven's sake - or desperate to be near the doors. They just want a wide, safe place to get their kids in and out of the vehicle, not even necessarily near the door if you look back at what people have posted, but somewhere SAFE because: (in big type so you can pick it out more easily)
WITH BABIES AND TODDLERS IT IS OFTEN NECESSARY TO OPEN YOUR DOORS TO THEIR FULL EXTENT TO REMOVE THEM/THEIR CARRIERS AND/OR PUT THEM IN THEIR CHILDSEATS OR PRAMS.
Also they are slippery little critters and bigger bays ARE SAFER FOR CHILDREN WHO OFTEN THROW THEMSELVES ABOUT AND/OR TRY TO RUN AWAY.

That is why supermarkets and many other thoughtful establishments try to help out. I completely agree that bigger spaces in general is a fantastic idea, and wholeheartedly support it. But bigger spaces=less spaces=less capacity=less customers. Therefore they do not do it.

I would suggest that you are the idle one for wishing to take away something that is a real benefit to others so that you can park a couple of metres nearer the door, which I am guessing is one of the things that really bugs you.

As for the absurdity of asking you to take this debate back to one of the other threads on the subject: it's a matter of politeness - this particular thread has a particular purpose, which is not debate, whereas there are others where you can debate to your hearts content and I will actively encourage you to.
I apologise to everyone for helping to drag this off its main purpose. Perhaps we can get back now to answering the original question and take the debate back to the other threads?

In the US I believe you get a hefty fine if you park in a disabled spot when you shouldn't.

I hate 4x4's, I drive a normal 2 door polo.

ah thats ur problem, 2 door cars have bigger doors than 4 doors, Ive got the same problem. I try to get the end of aisle ones, next to the kerb, I pull over as far as I can, so it leaves lots of room for my dad to get out the other side

disabled and mother/child parking, both great ideas!. I would never park in a disabled bay, being perfectly able bodied i feel its an abuse of the space...so why is it an elderly male disabled badge holder sees fit to park in a mother and child space, even though disabled spaces are available?. both these reserved facilities should be better policed. Personally, i dont have a problem with the whole thing, as I use tesco online and save myself the hassle.

The model Asda (Handsworth) use is about the best i've seen.

The disabled parking bays are closest to the store, wide enough for people to get in and out easily and near to the trolleys. They have a small selection of different trolley types as well as some 'motorised' things with baskets on the front.

The parent and baby/toddler spaces are further away from the store, to one side so reducing the amount of roadway to cross and also wide enough to get baby/seat in and out of.

They also have quite a lot of spaces NEARER TO THE STORE THAN THE PARENT & CHILD SPACES for the ultra-fit, sportscar driving type who just simply must park as near as possible to the door dhaaarling.

As for internet ordering - love it, totally do, it's just a damn shame they don't do a 'small but urgent' delivery service where you can order just one or two items to be delivered the same day (usually needed within the hour)