A SHOPPER received a parking fine – for spending too long in the supermarket.
Wendy Hart was punished after spending nearly three hours – and more than £100 – at the Asda store in Arnold.
The supermarket allows people to park there for free for up to two-and-a-half hours.
But her husband, Michael, received a fine in the post nearly two weeks after the visit as she had been there for two hours and 57 minutes.
Mr Hart, 63, of Yatesbury Crescent, Strelley, said: "I'm astonished they can fine us for being in their car park – and therefore their shop – for too long."
Mrs Hart, 52, visited the store with her sister on February 16 and Mr Hart received the parking charge notice on March 1.
It stated Mrs Hart drove into the Asda car park at 10.10am on February 16 and left at 1.07pm and added that the £70 fine would be reduced to £40 if it was paid within 14 days.
The couple phoned Smart Parking Ltd, which issued the ticket, and were told the fine would be quashed if they had a receipt for their visit to Asda.
But Mr Hart said it had been thrown away in the days between visiting the store and receiving the notice.
Mr Hart said: "If we had saved the receipt for two weeks, we could have sent it to Smart Parking Ltd and the fine would have been cancelled.
"We would normally use Asda in Hyson Green and have never been fined for taking a long time to spend our money, so have never thought it necessary to save old receipts.
"I don't know of any other supermarket that fines its customers for taking more than two-and-a-half hours to do their shopping."
He added: "Since the ticket, we've gone to the Morrisons in Bulwell instead."
However, after being contacted by the Post, Asda yesterday decided to refund the £40 fine.
A spokesman said: "We know that being able to park quickly and safely is our customers' top priority, and we do everything we can to make sure there are spaces free.
"However we are happy to review parking charges on a case by case basis, where a customer has a genuine reason to be at the store.
"It looks like Mrs Hart spent a little longer than usual shopping, so we decided to refund charge on this occasion.
"We would like to remind customers that if they think they will be taking longer than usual to do their weekly shop, to let the customer service desk know."
Mrs Hart welcomed the refund.
She said: "I'm thrilled. I was hoping that they would because I always use Asda and wanted to continue to.
"I'm pleased I can now go there again. I'll now be more aware of the charges."
