Totton: Healthy Pet Store customers reimbursed for parking

A scheme introduced by Healthy Pet Store in Salisbury Road means customers can enjoy an hour of free parking if they spend at least £25 in the shop.

Motorists who buy a £1 ticket at a council-owned car park in nearby Westfield Road can claim the money back at the till.

Managing director Deborah Burrows said people carrying heavy loads to their vehicles needed to park close to the shop.

She added that high streets across the UK were in dire straits, making it essential that families were provided with convenient and cost-effective parking.

Healthy Pet Store customers who buy a £1 parking ticket can claim the money back at the til (Image: Supplied)

Motorists using New Forest District Council car parks can buy parking clocks by making a one-off payment. Alternatively, they can buy a ticket each time they visit one of the sites.

READ MORE: Healthy Pet Store saves 2023 Totton and Eling Carnival

Deborah said: "I appreciate the pressures councils face - and that at-machine rates have not increased for three years - but the council could choose to support businesses by introducing a short period of free parking. 

“We’re a cornerstone of the local community. We also see customers from surrounding areas in Hampshire and even the Isle of Wight.

"They should be able to do their weekly or monthly shopping easily - and now they can."

Healthy Pet Store saved the 2023 Totton and Eling Carnival by donating more than £700 (Image: Newsquest.)

Healthy Pet Store has so far reimbursed 15 parking fees since the scheme was launched earlier this month.

Deborah said: "Customers told us parking charges were a gripe in our latest customer survey. We also know that some customers don't want to disadvantage us. However, we want to help."

The scheme applies only to customers who park for an hour.

Posting on social media the shop says: "To claim back your parking charge, take a photo of your ticket and show it - or your RingGo confirmation - to the customer advisor serving you at the till. If you have spent a minimum of £25, £1 will be deducted from your bill."

The store is asking customers with parking clocks to continue using them instead of buying a ticket and claiming a refund.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Healthy Pet Store saved last year's Totton and Eling Carnival by handing over more than £700.

Following the end of a sponsorship deal, organisers had to find £1,000 to pay all the bills that needed settling by March 10.

The total raised stood at £287 when Healthy Pet Store stepped in and paid the £713 balance.