MARKS and Spencer says its customers are happy about the changes at its car park in Northwich.

Parking charges were introduced on Monday at the 92-space car park near the Marks and Spencer store in Leicester Street.

The company said the charges were introduced in response to complaints from customers about not being able to find spaces because of the number of non-customers parking.

From Monday people had to pay £1 to park for one hour in the car park, which is alongside the Barons Quay construction site.

This can be redeemed when customers spend £5 or more in Marks and Spencer.

After comments from customers that the length of parking time for the charge was too short it was increased to two hours.

The car park is managed by London-based Euro Car Parks, parking is limited to two hours, with no return within two hours, and charges apply at all times.

Motorists who fail to comply with the car park regulations will receive a £70 penalty charge notice, or £40 if it is paid within 14 days of being issued.

“The M&S car park in Northwich is intended for use by M&S customers, many of whom have recently faced difficulties in finding space to park,” said a company spokesperson.

“These charges will ensure we can continue to offer a parking service to our shoppers. We have so far received positive feedback from our customers about the changes.”

The spokesperson said Marks and Spencer was given temporary ownership of the car park by Cheshire West and Chester Council to compensate it for the loss of its former car park because of the Barons Quay building works.

“M&S car parks are for use by M&S customers, but we have found the car park is being used more generally by people shopping in the town centre, preventing our customers from being able to park,” said the spokesperson.

“The parking charges were introduced in response to complaints from our customers, who have been unable to use the designated M&S car park over the last few months due to the volume of non-customers using spaces.

“We wanted to ensure we could continue to offer parking to store customers while building continues in the town centre.

“We listened to feedback from customers about the length of parking time granted for the £1 charge being too short, and amended the parking terms so the length of stay is now the same as it was previously, two hours.

“Marks and Spencer is working with Euro Car Parks to amend the signs as Marks and Spencer customers are entitled to two hours free parking if they spend over £5 in store.”

Handheld cameras are being used to take pictures of car registration plates to monitor and enforce the car park’s terms and conditions.