Sainsbury's Disabled Parking Abuse

[SimplySteve]

So, my local Sainsbury's is less than 5 mins walk from the local college. There are approximately 10 disabled bays, and at the end of the college day they are all filled with parents waiting to pick their little cherubs up, whilst people like me who need the extra space to get out of the car, and uses a wheelchair cannot park.

Any ideas on what I can do to try and get Sainsbury's to do Something?

AIBU to just park behind them, effectively blocking them in until I return?

I took drastic action and blocked three cars parked in disabled bays in. It was a health centre and only had 5 disabled bays. Free car park in a town centre. Whole car park full and there was literally nowhere else I could park and get to my appointment. All 5 disabled bays had cars without blue badges.

Security guard came out shouting at me, that I couldn't do that. I had left a note with my phone number on my dashboard. So I shouted back that he should have stopped the other cars parking. I then asked him to help me in to my appointment as it was a bit icy and I was worried I'd slip. He did help me. No one dared to phone me to move my car.

YANU to block them in, but think about what hassle you will get. Can you withstand a verbal assault or will you feel crap about getting shouted at by precious mums?

I would write to them, ask them for a copy of their policy of enforcing disabled parking, query why it is not being enforced at your local branch and say that the failure to do so is a breach of their duty to make reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 20qp to disabled people such as yourself.

Hopefully that should get Sainsbury's to do something.

*2010

And if you want help with the wording of the letter feel free to PM me

I too have blocked people in. Funnily enough I haven't often been yelled at, I'm usually met with 'oh I was just...' to which my reply is 'so was I and it was harder for me because you took one of the only five spaces there to help me'. At which point I generally get an embarrassed apology.

Sainsburys usually employ a company (Europark, I think ?) to manage their car parks, so I imagine would be interested to know that they're not getting any value for their money.

Certainly in all our nearby Sainsburys they are quite hot on the BB spaces, and I have seen them photograph a car within minute of arrival.

Personally I'd be interested in how ticketed cars are pursued, since parking in a BB space without a BB is a different contractual issue to parking without paying or overstaying. The curious thing is, apparently no one in the history of ever has ever parked in a BB space without a BB. No matter how many drivers you ask, how many forums you post on, how many surveys you commission, it seems that no one no one ever abuses BB parking. I'm beginning to wonder if it's some quantum effect due to the LHC .

I will be honest. I have abused disabled parking once when I was younger. And got the ticket for my troubles. More people do it than will admit to.

Speak to Sainsburys in the first instance. It's up to them to enforce it. Or take your business elsewhere to someone who does enforce it.

@DGRossetti

Tends to only be the bigger ones that they get Europark in for. We have 2 Sainsbury’s in our town; a big one and a local. The big one has the same woman regularly on patrol, the local doesn’t have anything and nor does the local in the neighbouring town.

I know this isn't the point of the thread but are parents really picking their kids up from college? i would have been mortified -- most of us just got the bus, or if upper 6th sometimes drove/shared lifts. Are the children terribly sheltered where you are, OP?

local press
contact college

Block in.

I've done it a few times.

Had my number called in Sainsbury's, said if they had a blue badge I would move, that it wasn't me blocking the space but the person parked there, told them as soon as I finished my shopping I would be moving.

I've also done it at the cinema, people park in the disabled spaces to pick up their children.

Take photos as evidence

I know this isn't the point of the thread but are parents really picking their kids up from college? i would have been mortified -- most of us just got the bus

If there is a bus ?

My daughters went to college. We were rural. No buses.

My daughters went to college. We were rural. No buses

City folk (of which I am proudly one) sometimes forget how shit life can be in the country. Even on the outskirts here, buses can stop at 6pm (so you're **ed if you do an after school/college activity with no transport).

Thanks @AllyMcBeagle , I may well take you up on that.

No, the children are not terribly sheltered. I'd guesstimate perhaps 6-7 are Land Rover, Jags, Mercs, BMW.

Was worried I'd get flamed for my suggestion and general post, am happy I haven't been. Thanks for all the replies so far!

Oh, and my DD has checked the cars for a blue badge, none displayed. The parent sits in the car, parked in a disabled spot, child arrives up to 30-45 mins later, drive off. They never even go in the bloody store. I often stay in the car because while I always intend to go in the supermarket, there are days I am so fatigued, weak and in excruciating pain, it would be too much.

The college is served well by buses, to all local destinations they would come from. Most are every 15 mins, some to further areas every 30 mins.

know this isn't the point of the thread but are parents really picking their kids up from college? i would have been mortified -- most of us just got the bus, or if upper 6th sometimes drove/shared lifts. Are the children terribly sheltered where you are, OP?

There may not even be a bus and what 17 year olds can afford cars now? Other people live outside your bubble you know (bit rich to call others sheltered when you can't appreciate that, btw)

Sorry for three in a row.

Bus stop is also immediately outside the college.

What a bunch of entitled arseholes. Complain to the store and the car park holders and yes block them in if you’re up to the possible abuse.
Seriously what goes through people’s heads to think this is ok?

I wouldn't complain to the store.

Email [email protected] - he's the CEO of Sainsbury's and explain it all to him. Pictures if possible showing there's no blue badges and mention that youve had to go out of your way to Morrisons/Tesco for your shopping as you are unable to use your most convenient and local store due to these people taking up the disabled spaces and his company are losing out on income (Don't mention Asda as they're merging so they wouldn't lose a customer if you want there).

I've worked in CEO offices in the past and they've got people who will resolve this if they can and the store management will get a rocket to keep them on top of it.

When this next happens, call the store whilst you are in your car, tell them that there are people sat in their cars in disabled bays without BBs, and you need a manager to come and make them move.

Or if they are sat in their cars, could you could just press your horn repeatedly to get their attention, then tell them to move?

They are disgraceful.

Or if they are sat in their cars, could you could just press your horn repeatedly to get their attention, then tell them to move?

Not a great idea - could escalate things. We've already established that the BB blockers aren't pleasant people .