Burton Joyce pub The Nelson introduces pay and display parking - and customers are all for it

A Nottinghamshire pub has introduced parking charges in a bid to stop park users from taking up spaces meant for customers. Since double yellow lines were painted along Chestnut Grove in Burton Joyce, people visiting Roberts Recreation Ground opposite have been leaving their vehicles in The Nelson's car park, taking up spaces meant for pub-goers.

To combat the move a pay and display machine has been installed by the pub's owners. Pub customers need to give staff their registration, when they arrive or just before they leave, so they don't have to pay the charge.

There is also 10 minutes grace for anyone dropping off or picking up in the car park, which has cameras to monitor vehicles entering and leaving. For everyone else the charges range from £1.50 for an hour to £6.50 for all day. Anyone who fails to pay could be fined £100.

Pub owner John Molnar said: "Gedling Borough Council have made the most fantastic kids park - it's amazing. But now there's double yellow lines either side of the park so no one can park on the road to use the park.

"We're losing between 20 and 30 covers a week because people were parking in our car park and going in the kids' park or going on dog walks and it was to the point where business was suffering, so we have introduced a pay and display car park. We had tables saying we're going to have to cancel as we can't park."

The charge is redeemable if park users buy a takeaway coffee, a sausage roll or crisps from the pub.

One man welcomed the new policy. He said: "I’ve tried to park so many times for lunch. I’m hoping it’s an easy fix so we can dine and eat your amazing food." Another customer said: "About time too! Your car park has been used by non patrons for far too long. I rarely use it as I walk to you, but it’s often full when the pub is quiet."

However, not everyone welcomes the change. One man, who mistakenly believed it to be a public car park, said: "Which bright spark came up with the idea of parking charges at The Nelson pub? That car park is a community facility for dog walkers, families visit the playground and friends meeting for coffee. We are a village, not the centre of Nottingham, surely parking should be free."

Nottinghamshire Live has contacted Nottinghamshire County Council for a comment about the recreation ground's parking issue but has yet to receive a response.