GLA MEMBER CALLS ON SAINSBURY’S TO REINSTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE PARKING AGREEMENT
STEVE O’CONNELL. GLA member for Croydon and Sutton, is calling on Sainsbury’s to reinstate the car parking agreement their Upper Norwood store had with the neighbouring Phoenix community centre.
As News From Crystal Palace reported on September 26th (COMMUNITY CENTRE WITH NO CAR PARK Antique and collectors fayre cancelled) “a planned antiques and collectors fair at the Phoenix centre was cancelled at short notice – victim of a Sainsbury’s clampdown on parking.
“The fair is held in the Phoenix community centre which stands to the left of Sainsbury’s supermarket on the Norwood Heights development in Westow Street.”
Mr O’Connell’s call comes in a letter to the company’s retail and operations director Roger Burnley. Mr O’Connell, who is also a Conservative councillor for Croydon in which borough the Westow Street store stands, says in his letter:
“I am writing to raise my concern relating to Sainsbury’s recent clampdown on parking at the car park adjacent to the Phoenix community centre in Upper Norwood.
“I was particularly sorry to learn that the regular antique and collectors fayre at the Phoenix centre had to be cancelled in September due to lack of parking provision.
“My understanding is that in October 2010 Sainsbury’s agreed to allow users of the Phoenix centre to stay in the car park for as long as required.
“But as of July 2014, new rules will inflict £70.00 fines on any motorists leaving their vehicle in the car park in excess of three hours.
“I fully appreciate Sainsbury’s having the right to curtail any abusive parking in the car park but I consider the previous arrangement with the Phoenix centre of permitting registered vehicle number plates to extend their stay to be a fair and sensible arrangement, engendering good community relations as well as encouraging trade and footfall in the local area.
“I would therefore be most grateful if Sainsbury’s would agree to reinstate their former parking arrangement with the Phoenix community centre which I firmly believe will benefit both Sainsbury’s and the community centre. “Thank you.”
