Parking plan at Leeds Morrisons store sparks furious backlash

Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now
Furious campaigners are preparing for battle with supermarket giant Morrisons in a row over parking at one of its West Yorkshire stores.

When the Guiseley Morrisons was built nearly 30 years ago, campaigners argue, it was agreed that its car park could be used by the community, a legacy from its time as a public space.

Now, in the wake of proposals to use cameras to enforce a three-hour time limit on car parking, business owners say the plan will impact on the high street’s ability to thrive.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“When it was built 29 years ago, it was always on the condition that parking was unlimited and unrestricted,” said Sara Wellman, owner of Bellissima salon.

ll
l

“It’s going to have a massive impact on Guiseley. Staff at businesses across the town will have nowhere to park, and neither will customers.

“It’s a massive problem. People won’t be able to park in Guiseley if they come out for the day.

“We are so angry. It’s just another nail in the coffin for the high street. We are going to fight it – we will not take this lying down.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There are no other options for long-term parking in the town centre, she adds, as the few all-day spaces are occupied by rail commuters from the early morning.

All other public car parks in the centre, she adds, are limited to two or three hours.

Adam Haigh, who runs Haigh’s Bakery on the high street, said one of the biggest issues was around a lack of options for people who work in the area and need longer stay parking.

“We have a night shift – where are they supposed to park?” he said. “The great irony is that Morrisons car park is empty at night. People will just start parking on residential streets, then the whole area will be up in arms.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There had been issues with rail commuters taking advantage of the all-day parking at the store, he said, and he could understand the frustration that had created.

But, he added, this could only make things worse for a high street already suffering difficult trading conditions.

“We’ve been here over 30 years, since before Morrisons was built, when there was a Methodist chapel and car park here,” he said.

“We will fight this – what else can we do? It will have such a massive impact.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad