HARLOW Asda has been accused of handing out parking vouchers “willy nilly” as an example of where the town centre discounted parking arrangements are possibly being breached reports the Local Democracy Reporter.

Harlow Council says it is looking at whether discounted parking vouchers offered by Asda are breaching the terms of the agreement after new council figures show a stark drop in income.

Harlow Council has estimated that parking income for the year will be £170,000 down against the target.

The council says discussions are ongoing with the Water Gardens management team to ensure that the council is maximising its income.

People who spend £5 or more in Asda can claim a refund on their first two hours of parking. There the staff give customers a voucher which can be redeemed at the pay station when they are leaving. People paying for parking online after their visit can not use concession vouchers. There are 1,200 car parking spaces at The Water Gardens which costs 90p up to two hours Monday to Friday and £1.20 on Saturdays.

Councillor James Leppard, portfolio holder for finance and governance, told Harlow cabinet on Thursday, September 7 that part of the income drop is a hangover from Covid restrictions.

But he added the council wanted to ensure the agreements were not sidestepped to the detriment of the council’s income. In the town centre it operates the Post Office Road and Wych Elm car parks. All other car parks are privately operated including the Water Gardens but the council does receive an income under a management arrangement.

The council has said the forecasted large reduction in income from the Water Gardens car park is the most significant of its forecasts. Income forecasts for the year had already been reduced, in line with post-Covid trends.

However, income has fallen short of these reductions largely, it is believed, due to greater use of free parking availability provided by some retailers.

Councillor James Leppard said: “One of the things which has also impacted this is the discounted special concessions offered by some of the retailers. We are checking to be sure that they are complying with the terms of the agreement for Water Gardens.

“We have noticed that Asda have been handing out tickets willy nilly certainly not in the terms and this has been brought to their attention.”

Council leader Dan Swords at the same meeting said: “I am sure it is speculation about a retail store doing such a thing.”

A council report said income projections from the Harvey Centre have been exceeded with slightly better occupancy than forecast and also higher income from the cinema.

However, it is looking carefully at whether there have been any breaches of the agreement. A council spokesperson “We want to have discussions with the Water Gardens Management Team to ensure that the arrangements regarding free car parking periods are being applied by the retailers as set out in the management agreement. This is all part of our ongoing work to ensure that the council is maximising its income at a time when we are seeing activity begin to return to pre-Covid levels in the car parks.”

A spokesperson for Asda said: “Asda Harlow customers that spend a minimum of £5 in-store are entitled to two hours of free parking. Shoppers are required to take their receipts to the customer service desk to receive an exemption ticket.”