Glasgow supermarket manager hit with 14 fines for parking outside shop

The manager of a popular supermarket has said customers are struggling to find a suitable parking space near his shop – and admitted he has been given 14 parking tickets.

Raad Ahmad said he had received the penalty notices in the year and a half since Hala supermarket opened for parking on double yellow lines outside the business.

He believes customers are being driven away due to there being few alternative places to park.

The large grocery shop and bakery in the Anderston Quay area sells Mediterranean and Arabic food with Mr Ahmad describing it as having “something for everyone” on Warroch Street.

He said parking wardens often visit the street which is putting customers off and preventing staff from serving the community.

The council said it has received complaints about parking on the street and pointed out that failing to comply to restrictions creates a road safety risk.

Mr Ahmad said: “I have had to pay £60. There is a problem with the traffic wardens – they keep putting tickets. It is not fair as we try to serve. Some customers get tickets and don’t come back. ”

His latest ticket was received on March 22.

He added: “We serve the community and do our best. We offer fresh bread, Arabic sweets, fresh fruit and vegetables and have different nationalities visiting. People come here and find everything.”

Faten Hameed, chair of the Scottish Iraqi Association, said the shop’s wide range of stock brings “East to West” but having traffic wardens outside the “busy” shop makes it “hard for people to do their shopping.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “Parking restrictions are in place to promote road safety, ease congestion and ensure limited road space is shared as equitably as possible.

“A failure to observe parking restrictions creates a risk to road safety, contributes to traffic delays and causes frustration among other drivers.

“Parking attendants can only ever issue a penalty charge notice where there is evidence of a failure to comply with the road regulations.

“The best way to avoid a parking fine is to observe the parking restrictions in the first place.”

He added: “We have received complaints about how vehicles are parked at both locations.”

A parking ticket in Glasgow currently costs £60 discounted to £30 if paid within 14 days.

Another supermarket Zad Foods in Townhead has had issues with parking for customers, according to Ms Hameed.

She said the business had been concerned about a plan to introduce parking charges after 6pm as many people shop in the evening.

Ms Hameed said: “It is a vital business for the area. They serve the whole community but parking is a big thing