Visitors to one of the UK's biggest shopping centres are furious after being hit with fines over the weekend.
After three car parks at the Trafford Centre in Greater Manchester closed due to the Summer Social event and for the use of motoring giant Tesla, customers were forced to find alternative spaces to leave their cars while shopping.
The fight for a parking spot has led many shoppers to park on pavements, double lines, and inside disabled bays without permits, the Manchester Evening News reports.
As a result of this, the shopping centre deployed parking wardens who have been handing out fines.
Some customers took to social media to vent their frustration, while others complained to the shopping centre about the situation.
One person tweeted: "Been to the Trafford Centre to drop daughter off, f*****g nightmare parking, one car park closed for a funfair one closed for a f*****g tesla exhibition."
Another added: "Why is the Trafford Centre so rammed today? Not usually this busy. Need to move the stupid fair and #tesla area which are taking up loads of parking spaces."
The Trafford Centre has now warned shoppers to park in the designated bays to avoid a penalty charge.
A spokesperson for the Trafford Centre told Manchester Evening News: "The Trafford Centre has a total of 18 car parks with 15 currently open, offering over 10,000 spaces.
"Even with the closure of Orient car parks 10, 11 and 14, there are plenty of parking spaces available for visitors as well as public transport links
"We want to provide a safe and accessible environment for all our visitors. This means that certain areas of our car parks, such as pedestrian walkways and emergency exits, need to stay clear at all times.
"We also need to ensure that accessible bays are kept clear for visitors who require them.
"Due to a small minority of visitors parking in these areas, we have re-introduced our Sensitive Parking initiative to encourage safe and appropriate use of our car parks."
The Trafford Centre said any queries need to be directed to Workflow Dynamics on 03444 127 929 or enquiries@workflowdynamic.com.
