Anger as vehicle is locked in Merry Hill car park
A childminder from the Black Country was left 'fuming' after finding her car locked in at a Merry Hill store's car park late at night - just as she was due to collect her 14-year-old son from a youth club.
A childminder from the Black Country was left 'fuming' after finding her car locked in at a Merry Hill store's car park late at night - just as she was due to collect her 14-year-old son from a youth club.
Michelle Price-Hunt says three other vehicles were also locked in when their owners returned to the car park at Best Buy electrical store to find the barriers down at 9.50pm on Friday.
While the Merry Hill centre is open until 10pm, the Best Buy branch closes at 8pm and its car park shuts 30 minutes later.
But Mrs Price-Hunt complains that there is no sign on the car park to indicate the opening hours. A Best Buy spokesman said that information was included alongside the opening hours at the entry and exit of the store - but the branch is now planning to introduce additional signs for the car park.
Mrs Price-Hunt, aged 46, of Thompson Close, Dudley Wood, said: "I was in a panic because I was due to collect my son Adam from a youth club in Netherton.
"Three other people also found their cars shut in. One car was small enough to negotiate around the barrier but the other two drivers crunched the bottom of their vehicles on the stones in the grass at the side and I didn't want to risk it. "My son walked home from the club with a friend, which is worrying so late at night, and I walked home with all my shopping bags."
The Best Buy spokesman said: "On Fridays our store closes at 8pm and our car park closes 30 minutes later, allowing ample time for customers to leave. This information is displayed alongside our opening hours on entry and exit from the store.
"We are sorry to hear that Ms Price-Hunt feels she has cause for complaint and we will be happy to contact her to offer a small gesture of goodwill as a thank you for shopping with us.
"If our customers have any queries we would advise that they contact our customer relations team on 0333 777 7777 who will be happy to help. In the meantime, we are introducing additional signage to our Merry Hill car park."
