Drivers in Kent are furious at the introduction of a new app-based parking system at the town centre, with some vowing to never drive there again.
As of last week, anyone using the Thamesgate Shopping Centre in Gravesend has to pre-book a space or book it on arrival.
The move comes after the local multi-storey was taken over by a company called YourParkingSpace, which lets drivers reserve parking spaces in advance using a cashless system.
But the move has not gone down well with locals, with some refusing to use the app and others claiming the new system is so disastrous it may even deter people from visiting the town.
An employee at the shopping centre, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘It’s early days. Some were OK with it, others, particularly the elderly, struggled.’
Although customers can still make car payments at kiosks in the shopping centre, anyone shopping there is now heavily encouraged to use the YourParkingSpace app, and the change has rubbed some residents the wrong way.
One motorist who refuses to make the switch is pensioner Tony Mack, who prefers to pay in cash and will not be using the new system.
The Longfield man, who is in his 80s, said: ‘I’m a great fan of choice.
‘With so many shops closing and it being difficult enough to find somewhere to park in Gravesend any way, this is just making it worse.
‘We need to be making town centres more accessible and not just encourage people to go to out-of-town places.
‘You might as well say forget Gravesend and go to Bluewater where the parking is free.’
Tina Precious said: ‘Another one I won’t be using from now on then. I stopped using St George’s ages ago and I’m certainly not going to be using this one anymore. Why fix something if it ain’t broke?
‘Not everyone has smartphones, especially elderly people. I’ll do my shopping elsewhere.’
Helen Webb added: ‘At first glance it’s so unfair on those who choose not to have all this “online” thing.
‘There will be a machine to pay onsite but it won’t take cash- only card. So you can do it by app OR at the machine but you’ll need to use your card, which I’m sure most of us do have.’
While coins and cash cannot be used to pay for parking, other methods include paying by mobile or using an ‘express payment’ QR code.
Thamesgate Shopping Centre, formerly called the Anglesea Shopping Centre, was built in 1975.
It was bought by private property developer Edinburgh House in 2001, who gave it a £300,000 makeover and its new name in 2003.
In May, the centre was bought by investors with plans to improve ‘the prime pedestrianised pitch’.
Private investment manager, Signal Capital, purchased the 18-store outlet, which includes Wilko, Superdrug and Specsavers.
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