THE bakery owners have told how they are being hunted by ruthless parking attendants who are ruining their business.
The Meena Bakery in Blackburn has watched in horror as their customers are chased away by overzealous guards who have beaten them with fines.
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And the traffic cops have even harassed their employees – with CCTV showing the moment a security guard booked a vehicle while making deliveries to the store.
More than ten of the bakery’s customers have been slammed with flat fee notices in the past six months, forcing the store to put up a sign in the window warning customers.
Mohammed Patel, 50, whose mother Amina owns the building where the bakery is empty, is calling for short-term parking spaces outside the building.
He told The Sun: “It costs the company money and drives customers away.
“They stop outside the store, but panic when they see her (the traffic controller).
“It’s just that one traffic controller who is the worst and causes all the problems. She just stands there and waits for people to park and just books them. Seeing her standing there is a scary sight.
“I’m angry because it’s not necessary.”
The bakery is on the corner of Victoria Street and Tontine Street – both of which have double yellow lines.
The highway code says that a driver is not allowed to stop, park or wait for a certain period of time on double yellow lines.
However, there are a few exceptions if you’re only stopping for a short time.
These apply to drivers picking up or dropping off something or someone – as well as Blue Badge holders for up to three hours.
Mr Patel continued: “About a year ago they changed the layout of the road so now it is very quiet so it is not causing any congestion.
“Most customers are in the store less than 10 minutes. Make the bay 20 minutes parking.
“Or just use a little common sense. You want people to come to town – don’t drive them away.
“It’s all the stress it puts on us and the customers.”
Customer Amir Rashid said: “It’s ridiculous. The coves are ideal for customers to park, pop into the shop and drive away.
“It’s about making money with soft targets.”
Regarding the CCTV, Head of Highways for Blackburn said with Darwen Borough Council, Dwayne Lowe: “The vehicle in the video is parked in Tontine Street with double yellow colors with double blips on the pavement, preventing stopping or loading and unloading .
“As the vehicle was unloading in this area, the appropriate parking fee was imposed and we advise the companies to use the available loading dock on Victoria Street to avoid fines in the future.
“Tontine Street is a cul-de-sac and the double yellow lines have been installed to ensure vehicles can safely drive in and spin around the spinning head.”
They added that the bays in Victoria Street are only for goods loading vehicles and “if any vehicle other than a truck parks here, they risk receiving a fine decision”.
Customers visiting Meena Bakery are asked to “park in any parking lot and abide by on-site restrictions”.