We have been asked to publish this open letter to Simon Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Sainsbury’s, which was sent to him via email earlier today.
You can read the letter in full below.
Dear Mr Roberts,
We are writing to express our concern about the proposed introduction of charges for those using the underground car park at Sainsbury’s, Saxon Centre, 252-274 Bedford Road, Kempston, Bedford MK42 8AY.
We understand that you are proposing to introduce a three-hour parking limit, after which charges or fines would apply. We understand that there may also be a proposed charge of £4 for those wishing to park for the day.
The store opened in 1975 and, for the past fifty years, customers and visitors have been able to use the car park without charge. We are therefore extremely concerned about this proposed change in policy.
It is important to consider the local context. The store is situated in an area consisting largely of Victorian-era terraced housing, where on-street parking is very limited.
When the area was redeveloped, the need for adequate parking was anticipated, and provision was made within the lease. Clause M(ii) states:
“To permit the general public to use the car park provided on the demised premises free of charge during normal business hours and outside normal business hours subject to such controls and charges as the Lessee may reasonably require.”
The car park is very large in relation to the store and, in our experience, we have never known it to be full. There is also a separate surface-level area for customers with disabilities.
Important facility
The car park has also become an important facility for the wider Saxon Centre and surrounding area. A doctor’s surgery and several nearby businesses have come to rely on the availability of free daytime parking.
The nearby office block has recently obtained planning permission for a change of use to a gym, with the availability of parking clearly being an important consideration.
Introducing a £4 charge for those wishing to park for a full day would, in our view, be disproportionate and unfair.
For someone working locally and using the car park five days a week, this could amount to around £80 a month, or £960 a year, directly from their wages.
The Saxon Centre is effectively Kempston’s town centre. A market takes place twice a week, and some market traders have come to rely on free parking.
Community events, including the annual Christmas lights switch-on, fair and carol-singing, involve many volunteers who need to be at the centre for much of the day.
Restricting parking to three hours would create unnecessary difficulties for all of these activities.
We recognise that there have unfortunately been incidents of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in the car park from time to time.
Detrimental impact
We therefore support your proposal to close the car park at night and will do everything we can, in conjunction with Bedfordshire Police, to work with you to address criminality and anti-social behaviour.
However, we do not believe that restricting free daytime parking will address these problems.
Indeed, we are concerned that it could have a detrimental impact on local residents, employees, businesses and community organisations without solving the issues that appear to be driving the proposed changes.
We also believe that introducing charges would risk considerable loss of goodwill towards Sainsbury’s locally. After fifty years of free parking, this would represent a significant change for the Kempston community.
We therefore appeal to you to reconsider the proposal and allow free all-day parking to continue during normal business hours.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the matter with you or your representatives and to work constructively with Sainsbury’s to address any concerns you may have about the car park.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Councillor Carl Meader (Labour/Kempston South)
Councillor Mohammed Nawaz (Labour/Kempston Central & East)
Councillor Sue Oliver (Labour/Kempston North)
Councillor James Valentine (Labour/Kempston West)
Letters published do not reflect the views of the Bedford Independent.
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