Tesco shopper slams 'new policy'(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Tesco shopper slams 'new policy' at supermarket and says it 'sucks'

A Tesco shopper has taken to social media to share her frustration at a 'new policy' at her local store - and many others have said they feel the same way

by · ChronicleLive

Tesco customers have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction after a shopper disclosed that her local store's car park timings had been altered. A sign from the Tesco in question indicates that patrons can now only use the supermarket car park for one hour between 8pm and midnight, and for 30 minutes from midnight until 6am.

For those shopping from 6am to 8pm, the parking limit is set at three hours. The customer shared her frustration about how she enjoys taking her time to shop in the evenings "for a couple of hours" when it's less busy.

Each Tesco outlet will enforce its own parking restrictions, so the duration allowed for parking will differ throughout the UK. In response to the changes, Tesco has stated to The Mirror that it continually assesses adjustments based on what customers say.

Venting on X, formerly known as Twitter, the disgruntled shopper posted: "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."

In a subsequent post, she elaborated: "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. Literally can't believe I'm having to justify myself to some of you absolute bell ends.", reports the Mirror.

Get all the latest money news and budgeting tips from Chronicle Live with our free newsletter

She further clarified: "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."

Her remarks resonated with many other customers. One sympathised: "I agree @Tesco I'd need more than an hour in the evening. Have enough stress in work that I don't need to be rushed going shopping too! " Another concurred: "Totally agree, if you're going to have a 24hr store, make the car park 24hrs too! Plenty of people like to do full shops outside their busy hours."

A third customer shared: "I don't go to this particular @Tesco but as a sole full time carer for my dad who has mobility issues and mixed dementia, I also can only do the shopping on an evening. Similarly, it's two hours to myself once a week. This is a really inconsiderate thing to do. Shame on Tesco."

One individual questioned the rationale behind the change: "That does not make sense... surely the car park is pretty empty 12 - 6am? " While another speculated: "It might be because a lot of Tesco car parks get used as boy racer car meets late at night."

A spokesperson for Tesco explained the rationale behind their parking policy: "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."


Join our WhatsApp communities

ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.

We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!

To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.

Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community

Join our Court & Crime community

Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community

Join our Northumberland community

Join our County Durham community

Join our Sunderland community

Join our NUFC community

Join our SAFC community

Join our Great North Run community