Gloucester charity shop left fuming at slap-happy traffic wardens

CHARITY shop workers claim Gloucester's strict parking regulations are putting off retailers from wanting to open up new businesses.

The Sue Ryder charity shop in The Oxebode has recently had a re-fit and will open up later this week.

But volunteers there have been hit with three £60 parking tickets as they have tried to load stock onto rails from waiting delivery vans.

Shop manager Tracy Arnold has criticised Gloucester City Council traffic wardens who she feels had come down hard on the staff trying to stock the shop and people who donate clothes to help raise money.

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"I told them we are re-stocking our shop and need to park vans over three days this week, but the council has said we must get a permit," she said.

"How can you run a shop if you can't get stock in and out?

"It's a ridiculous way to carry on.

"Traffic wardens are on our case straight away. They won't let us stop just for a few minutes."

Tracy, who has worked for Sue Ryder for five years, said the strict guidelines are stopping people from dropping off items for them to sell.

"Three of my customers have had tickets," she said.

"There is no lee-way and the council has not been very helpful. It is a permit or nothing. We are resigned to hiding from traffic wardens or getting someone to keep a look out so we can stock up.

"No wonder there are so many shops empty, this just puts off new businesses."

A spokesman for Gloucester City Council said: "The City Council enforces the parking restrictions set by Gloucestershire County Council. The Oxebode is a no loading or loading area 24 hours a day. Access can be made via New Inn and contractors can apply for dispensation for this area.

"Anyone who feels they have been issued a ticket unfairly can follow the appeals process details of which can be found on the reverse of the fixed penalty notice."