Westquay Shopping Centre parking stops using paper tickets

Shopping centre gets rid of paper parking tickets
Shopping centre gets rid of paper parking tickets
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Car parks at Westquay Shopping Centre will no longer use paper tickets for parking.

The centre has implemented a QR code system for its two car parks, Podium and the Multi-Storey, stating it will provide "a new seamless experience."

This comes as it introduces its new automatic system where users register their vehicle registration online for automatic payments.

A spokesman for Westquay said: "In response to customer feedback and a continued shift in consumer trends, we have been investing in a new seamless experience for parking.

"That’s why we have now introduced our ‘Drive in. Drive out.’ system. This smart parking solution eliminates tickets and reduces queues.

"By registering online, placing the phone on or near the near field communication chip (NFC chip) or using the QR code, payments can be made and set up to automatically to apply every time customers use the carpark.

"We’ve rolled this out elsewhere in the UK with really strong feedback, and we’re expecting the same at Westquay."

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Card payments at barriers remain available.

This move has been met with some controversy over concerns that it will make parking harder for those without smartphones, who do not use payment apps.

One car park user, Vanessa Doyle, said: "I am very disappointed to discover that West Quay shopping have introduced QR code parking payment, which will be soon for all transactions.

"I feel this discriminates those who do not have a smartphone, or do not trust Apple or Google Pay. A very backward step."

This comes shortly after the centre changed its parking tariffs at its two car parks, Podium and Multi-Storey, to 'simplify' them.

READ MORE: Westquay parking price changes: Readers say 'unnecessary'

In the Podium car park, it now costs £3.50 for an hour of parking, and it increases by £1 for every hour extra to £10.50 for eight hours, and £15 for 24 hours.

The multi-storey is the same, but £1 cheaper than the Podium, though it is still £15 for 24 hours.

Daily Echo readers have shared their frustrations with the price changes on social media, calling them "totally unnecessary" and adding it makes shops less attractive to customers.

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