A PENDLE supermarket has defended its parking charges after protests from nearby workers.

Hundreds of people employed in Nelson are upset after Morrisons introduced a two-hour parking limit and a £300 annual permit scheme earlier this month at its store in Pendle Street.

The workers say the annual charge up to a couple of years ago was £60, which was then waived until the reintroduction and steep increase on June 12.

Morrisons responded to the complaints with a statement insisting it was simply trying to ensure it kept parking spaces free for customers.

The area used by most health centre staff is around the back of the store and reserved for permit holders.

One employee at the nearby NHS Yarnspinners primary health care centre, who did not want to be named, said: “We have been using this car park for years without issue on a daily basis as it is right next door.

“The car park, even at the busiest periods, is usually at best half-full.

“With these permits there is no subsidy for NHS staff, no payment plan and we have to pay this up front or we park on the street.

“I am aware of a free multi-storey car park at the other end of town but come winter I would not want to be walking through Nelson in the dark.

“It’s not the parking charge that bothers us, it’s the lack of negotiations, the unwillingness to be flexible and the fact the car park is now more empty than ever.

“I would say we bring in a lot of business for Morrisons and feel it’s very unfair and unreasonable for this to be put on us.”

Another NHS worker said: “Most can’t afford £300 per year. A proposal was made for staff to pay daily or weekly in store just for the days they parked to make the fees more easily affordable, but that was rejected.

“Morrisons insists on payment of £150 per six months in advance, with the second payment therefore to be made at Christmas.

“There is very little other public parking nearby and much of the on-street parking is reserved for residents.

“Staff are having to park wherever they can find room, which will clearly cause congestion locally. Many are having to walk quite long distances.”

A Morrisons spokesperson said: “Our car park is for customers that want to shop with us. All we’re doing is making sure there will be spaces available for them.”