Parent & Baby parking at Sainsburys

[bumpy]

Hi, anyone out there reading this that has high level access to Sainsburys or know who I can contact to complain about the lack of parent & baby parking spaces? Thanks

[peckhamboy]

I think the problem is as much people using the spaces when they're not entitled as a lack of spaces in the first place. Every time I go there I see people with no kids parking in the parent and child bays. I'm sure that if Sainsburys clamped down on it for a week, and then did random checks afterwards to deter repeat offenders, there would suddenly be a lot more chance of getting a space.

In terms of the number of spaces, obviously the more parent and child spaces there are, the fewer "normal" spaces can be fitted in. Unfortunately, whilst the disabled bays are never fully occupied (or not by blue badge holders anyway), I think the number is set by legislation. Otherwise, an obvious solution would be to convert disabled spaces to parent and child spaces.

Have you tried contacting the store manager?

[njc97]

bumpy, just because they provide P&C spaces it doesn't mean you have to use them. There have been threads complaining about the opposite - that there are too many P&C spaces so, for example, when non-parents go in the evening they have to park further away whilst the P&C spaces are all empty.

[bumpy]

Apparently the store have had numerous complaints and have told head office but as with the 2 baby/toddler trollies nothing has been actioned.

Given the amount of families in East Dulwich you'd think they'd have more spaces.

[Fidgetsmum]

I'm never one to get on a complaint wagon, but the last three times I went to Sainsbury's there were people parking in parent spaces with no children in their cars. Occasionally you'll always get the odd one who frankly doesn't give a monkeys about anyone else, but I've seen it more frequently more recently.

For information, there are 399 normal spaces and only 16 parent spaces - so, to all those out there (not yet on this thread) saying there are too many parent spaces already, who don't have a child or children to negotiate around the Ayrton Senna's who speed around the car park, I beg to differ (blimey - I sound like my mum!)

So, because we never get anywhere with the store, I've just written this to Head Office:

Hi

My daughter is three in November and since her birth, I've been using the parent parking spaces in the Dulwich store car park. However, on a number of occasions, and indeed the last three times I shopped there (I shop there at least twice a week) I saw three different cars park in a parent spaces with no children in. Dulwich and East Dulwich is densely populated with 'young families' so there is a large Sainsbury's customer base with a genuine need for these spaces. There are 399 normal spaces and only 16 parent child spaces at Dulwich.

Please can it be arranged that even for a limited period, those spaces are policed properly and the fines that are threatened in store, actually are administered. It would then only take some random checks after that period for the problem to be sorted.

This of course will cost Sainsbury's money, but I would suggest that if this store do not look to rectify the problem, what would cost Sainsbury's more in litigation and PR would be a small child being hit by a car as they've had to walk from the other end of the whole car park (often one will park in a closer non-parent space to find there is literally not enough room to open a car door to get a child out so you have to park as far away as you can from the actual store).

Many parents have complained directly to the store (see our local forum East Dulwich Forum for some of the local views on the matter) and the answer seems to be that the car park is not operated directly by Sainsburys. I used to manage a team of people - it's like me saying that one of my team underperforming is not my fault! Just not the case. Sainsbury's may not be responsible directly for their car park, but you certainly are indirectly and you will have negotiating power with your car park suppliers.

Please please can someone police these spaces appropriately - even for a limited period with random checks afterwards.

Katie

[bumpy]

Yeah, go Katie, well done. If you're okay to send me their address I'll send a letter too.

[ClareC]

I actually got a parent space last time I visited, when I went back to my car (with 9mth daughter) the chap behind, parked in a parent and child space was getting in his car. He was able bodied, in his 40's and clearly had no children with him. I did say something to him but I doubt very much that would make any difference next time!!

It is actually very difficult getting a baby out of a car seat and into a trolley safely when you have to use usual width spaces.

The spaces really do need to be policed and there needs to be more of them! I appreciate it may be irritating in the evening post 7pm when there are few being used, maybe making them subject to time limits may work ie anyone can use post 7pm.

[Curmudgeon]

You can park in the further away car park where there is always ample room, pick up a trolley from their trolley bays and stroll over to the entrance

I think if parent and child bays were positioned at the back of the carpark there would be far more availability.

[ClareC]

Curmudgeon Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> You can park in the further away car park where

> there is always ample room, pick up a trolley from

> their trolley bays and stroll over to the

> entrance

>

> I think if parent and child bays were positioned

> at the back of the carpark there would be far more

> availability.

I agree, its where I end up more often than not! There are never any trolleys with baby seats over that side though which is a pain :-(.

Given the issues there I rarely go anymore, shop online with Ocado instead, can't fault their service and quality of food :-)

Wonder how many other customers Sainsbury's have lost due to this? One family alone is a big dent in their profits!!

[JessB]

I went to Sainsburys the other day and parked in a normal space, albeit pretty close to the entrance, but it was a normal space next to a trolley park. I really struggled to get my toddler out of our two door car, whilst also being pregnant (so not very bendy) and it was very awkward and quite painful! The nice car washing men came to help me and got me a trolley so I didn't have to carry my toddler to the trolley. The parent and baby bays near the entrance make a big difference as then the toddler has space to get out by themselves, and it's not too far (or dangerous) for them to walk (obviously holding my hand) over to the trolleys by the entrance.

Online is definitely the way to go. Now, where is that new Ocado app on my phone.....

[Fuschia]

Now imagine trying to get TWO toddlers out and find a TWIN trolley!!!!!!

[JessB]

Please don't - I'm definitely learning how to use my new phone and online shopping app now!!

[gwod]

I do wonder though... (and please don't shoot me down too much - this is just in the spirit of discussion) whether we really need larger spaces AND to be close to the store. I agree that getting kids out of the car can be hard in a narrow space, but do we really deserve to be nearer to the shop than everyone else? I would be happy with larger spaces further away, (which may make them less apealling to the other shoppers and may make it easier to keep the correct trolleys nearby) and leave all those who feel strongly about being right near the front door to fight it out between themselves.

Ive never felt worried about the safety aspect - even when I was taking all 4 children, just took sensible steps (like handholding) as you would in any road-type situation.

Now, please be gentle with me:-S, this is the family room after all, we're good a open discussion ar'nt we...!?!

[JessB]

Discussion is good! I wouldn't mind being further from the shop and hand-holding etc although I do find it hard to walk with a little toddler (20 months old) across the car park with the way some people drive their massive cars round the carpark, without resorting to carrying him which is just plain heavy. In principle no problem with it at all, just saying that it is harder work, but I'm also just grumpy and pregnant! We're lucky to have parent and baby bays or internet shopping (my mum can't believe my luck when she thinks back to taking us supermarket shopping!). I do think that if the bays are provided, then they should be used properly otherwise what's the point?

[Fuschia]

It's not easy to find a twin trolley without going in to the store, and it's never easy guiding a laden trolley, with children in it and holding your hand, across the car park as there are no pedestrian routes

[Pickle]

Gwod, I tend to agree with you (*ducks head*). I stopped using the parent and child bays quite a while ago, certainly before my daughter was 2, as I figure people with smaller children (i.e., non-walkers) need them more than me. We park along the far side edge near the nursery and my kids know that they must walk with me, holding my hand, until we're on the path by the supermarket. They are 3.5 and 2, and we've been doing this for at least 6 months.

Helps that they know if they behave they'll get chocolate buttons... ;-)

[gwod]

..that sounds like me Pickle, I think I started parking over that side as having to jostle with non-child people for the mother and child places made me so grumpy... and that's before before I even got into the store!!

[pebbles]

I think the perfect solution would be to keep the spaces they have at the moment but perhaps to add some more right at the back of the carpark so people with babies for instance can still have space to open the doors wide to get them out but makes no difference if they need to walk a few more metres to get to the shop??

[Dodo1]

Hi

I would suggest that you e-mail the company at this address. Don't bother with the store. I've had to complain about the state of the recycling facilities. The only reason it was finally tidied up was that I contacted Customer Services!

Keep complaints separate- that is don't complain about this and rats in the same e-mail!

[email protected],

[cate]

Parking spaces in general need to be made larger. If they did that then this problem wouldn't arise.

[Fuschia]

and twin trollies not all gathered together at the front of the store, but some put in each holding area. I have complained about that before to Tescos.

[Fidgetsmum]

... and this was Sainsbury's response.

Dear Katie

Thanks for your email. I'm sorry people are parking in the parent and toddler spaces when they don't have children. I can understand how disappointing this would be, especially as people with children have to park further away.

Our car parks are owned by Europark car parks. They have patrols to check that the spaces aren't being misused. It is hard to determine if this is taking place with the parent and toddler as their could be a car seat but they still don't have a child with them. If they do see this happening, a fine is issued. The manager will speak to the supervisor at Europark to see if they could have it patrolled more regularly.

We are grateful to you for taking the time to contact us as this helps us to continually improve our services. We look forward to seeing you in store soon.

Kind regards

Kathryn Kain

Customer Manager

[THREAD ID:1-3YOQIT]

[nancyse15]

This happens too often and infuriated me when I was pg with DS#2. I once had an argument with a seemingly 50 year old man who told me he had a bad leg so had to park in the parent bays. Of course I told him to park in the disabled bays but then he swore at me and walked off. I went into the store and complained and customer services were very unhelpful and told me that the age of a child entitled to the bay can be anything up to 17!! Ridiculous and completely inappropriate to my complaint.

Anyway the last time this happened, I happened to notice that in store there are parking information leaflets with 'Parent and Child Parking' written in large, red letters on one side. I tucked it under the windscreen of the car that brazenly parked next to me with no child within. Don't suppose it did any good, but made me feel better....

Keep up the good fight!

[Fuschia]

Sainsburys response is shocking! Totally dismissive.

[Fuschia]

By contrast Tesco policy is:

"The parent and child spaces in our stores are for parents with children ONLY (child HAS to be present at the time of the shop upto the age of 5) Anyone who parks in a P&C space without a child or a blue disabled badge is infringing on store policy and can be reported. Take the registration number down of the offending car, take it to customer service and they will tannoy the driver to move the car. If the car is not moved Tesco will clamp the car and tow it away.

"