This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/village-pub-forces-customers-to-pay-to-use-car-park-a6793106.html

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Village pub forces customers to pay to use car park Village pub in New Forest forces customers to pay to use car park
(35 minutes later)
A village pub has been criticised for forcing customers to pay to use its car park.A village pub has been criticised for forcing customers to pay to use its car park.
The Queen’s Head in Burley, the New Forest has abandoned free parking, instead charging customers £5 to park between 8am and 6pm.The Queen’s Head in Burley, the New Forest has abandoned free parking, instead charging customers £5 to park between 8am and 6pm.
Picturesque Burley is a major tourist hot-spot, with huge crowds descending on the village in the summer. According to a pub spokesman, the decision to introduce charges was made after staff noticed people taking advantage of free parking outside the 17th century inn rather than using the nearby council-owned car park. Picturesque Burley is a major tourist hot-spot, with huge crowds descending on the village in the summer. According to a pub spokesman, the decision to introduce charges was made after staff noticed people taking advantage of free parking outside the 17th-century inn rather than using the nearby council-owned car park.
A Queen’s Head spokesman told the Daily Echo: “Burley residents and visitors will know that parking is tricky in the area.A Queen’s Head spokesman told the Daily Echo: “Burley residents and visitors will know that parking is tricky in the area.
“To ensure our customers are able to benefit from our car park when they visit us, we have introduced a parking system in partnership with Britannia Parking.”“To ensure our customers are able to benefit from our car park when they visit us, we have introduced a parking system in partnership with Britannia Parking.”
Under the system customers will be charged 80p for one hour and £5 for the day, understood to be similar to charges in other local car parks. Under the system customers will be charged 80p for one hour and £5 for the day.
The Queen's Head added that customers will be able to redeem the cost of parking against food and drink bought at the pub when their bill totals more than the price of their ticket.The Queen's Head added that customers will be able to redeem the cost of parking against food and drink bought at the pub when their bill totals more than the price of their ticket.
Some residents, however, have slammed the charges. Burley local, Richard Grant, said previous landlords had allowed people to park at the pub to run errands. Some residents, however, have criticised the charges. Burley local, Richard Grant, said previous landlords had allowed people to park at the pub to run errands.
Mr Grant told the Daily Echo: “Personally, I feel it’s most off-putting and gives the wrong impression.”Mr Grant told the Daily Echo: “Personally, I feel it’s most off-putting and gives the wrong impression.”
Last year a pub in Nottingham came under fire from parents after it charged them to use its car park during the school run, the Nottingham Post reports.Last year a pub in Nottingham came under fire from parents after it charged them to use its car park during the school run, the Nottingham Post reports.
The Longbow, in Calverton Road, introduced a 50p pick-up and drop-off fee for people taking children to the Primary school and nursery next door.The Longbow, in Calverton Road, introduced a 50p pick-up and drop-off fee for people taking children to the Primary school and nursery next door.
The Independent has contacted the Queen’s Head for comment.The Independent has contacted the Queen’s Head for comment.