'Shoppers in Birstall should park where they like' – Junction 27 boss

There has been strong reaction to the News's story about a family which was fined 150 for parking at fast food chain KFC while eating at nearby Chiquitos.

Christine Farmery said she didn't notice signs stating the car park was for customers only, for a maximum of 75 minutes, because it was dark.

KFC isn't the only business enforcing parking conditions, as Spring Ram Retail Park, which houses Habitat, also has a two-and-a-half hour time limit.

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But Birstall Shopping Park manager Denis Copeland said he would be avoiding parking restrictions for as long as possible.

"I understand why the two smallest car parks have these time limits as they probably don't want people taking up their spaces while they go to the cinema, where there are around 1,000 spaces," he said.

"I think we should be here for people to park in one place knowing they are safe to leave their car while they shop, eat and watch a film. Ikea attracts people from the length of the M62 so we want people who visit to have a full day out and hope that would invite them to look around the shops, try the restaurants and visit the cinema.

"We don't want to put people off coming to the area."

The issue is one that has had our fans on Facebook talking as well.

Ian Catherall said he felt businesses were right to impose parking restrictions to stop people abusing their car parks.

He said: "There's always room in the Showcase car park and always plenty of space opposite Currys on the other side. It's just people are too lazy to walk and it's human nature to park as near as you can to your main destination."

Lee Miller argued: "Many visitors don't have a single destination, so far from being lazy, they park at one of them and walk to the rest. These restrictions would mean going back to the car and moving it to the next or face a fine. Is that what the landlords of the park really want us to do?"

Andy Kirby said he would respond to parking restrictions by shopping over the internet, which would result in a loss of business and jobs.

Fan Meirul Din said: "The reason behind this is that a woman parked in the car park of one restaurant and ate in another. Think about this for a moment – you wouldn't park at your neighbour's house and eat in your own. The same applies to businesses. They pay rates and rents and need the money back via customers. That's why when they have a restaurant they want you to eat in theirs and park in theirs."