Marks & Spencer has announced significant changes to the parking layout at its Ventura Retail Park store in Tamworth, sparking a range of reactions from local shoppers. The 12-week construction project began on Wednesday, with the company promising that the end result will be 'worth it for a smoother, easier experience.'
What the project involves
The transformation aims to tackle congestion and increase parking capacity. Key improvements include:
- Additional parking spaces: 32 standard spaces
- Disabled spaces doubled to 20
- Parent & Child spaces increasing from 10 to 18
- A new two-way traffic flow to reduce queuing
Work will be completed in three stages, with sections of the car park temporarily closed, starting with the Foods side.
Shopper reactions
The announcement on social media drew a variety of opinions. One shopper suggested: 'It would be a good idea to put Parent and Child parking spaces away from the store. They just need bigger spaces not to be near the store. Not all people that have problems have a Blue Badge and they would like to park near the store.'
Another commenter proposed: 'Easy solution .....put the cut through back in ...leave as one way .....move child parent parking to side so away from main traffic and provide more disabled at front of store. Grass verging / banks could be cut away to provide additional spaces.'
Some welcomed the changes: 'At last something is being done. The original layout should never have been altered.'
However, concerns were raised about safety: 'Maybe speed humps to stop people speeding in the car park and taking no notice of crossings!' Another added: 'Two way traffic system is an accident waiting to happen. Hard enough reversing out of a place with one way traffic. Someone has not thought this through. Easiest way is cameras and on purchasing you give your reg. So many people park in m and s carpark and walk to ventura.'
Time restrictions also drew criticism: 'Also the 3 hour parking restriction isn’t good. It really doesn’t encourage shopping, having lunch etc.'
One shopper concluded: 'Waste of time and money, just put the cut through back in.'
M&S stated: 'We appreciate your patience while these improvements are underway — it’ll be worth it for a smoother, easier experience when you visit us!'
