Waitrose has been slammed after customers at its Romsey store were hit by high parking fines, which they claim were introduced without their knowledge. Shoppers have been issued fines of up to £100 after Britannia Parking was introduced back in December.

Prior to the introduction of the third-party parking firm, the supermarket on Alma Road offered shoppers up to two hours of free parking. Tickets were produced on entry, stamped at the till, and then shown at the exit barrier.

However, with ANPR systems now in operation and external wardens employed, many customers are being hit with hefty fines after 'overstaying' their two-hour slot, reports the Daily Echo.

Sandra Rowden, who has shopped at the supermarket "for 29 years and spend around £24,000 a year," said that it is "absolutely diabolical" that people are being targeted by parking wardens.

She said: "Waitrose are known for valuing their customers, and it was lovely having a man on the barrier. You felt like you were part of the club, and you certainly didn't have to worry about clock watching. Now they have no loyalties towards their customers and anyone can park here now.

"Romsey has always been a provincial town with cheap parking, and it's completely going against the essence of what Romsey is."

Regular customer Debbie, along with others, was unaware of the new fines and regulations.

She said: "People are so used to how it was before I think it would be a big shock to suddenly get a ticket. It will definitely deter people from shopping here, especially when it can take hours to do a full shop."

A member of staff told Ms Rowden that Waitrose could no longer afford to run the barrier and that it was cheaper to employ Britannia.

A spokesperson for John Lewis Partnership, which operates Waitrose, said: "We want to make sure that parking is available for all our customers - so we've revised the maximum stay while still leaving plenty of time for customers to carry out a full shop and visit nearby businesses.

"The parking limits have been clearly communicated to customers through signs which have been up since December."