Paid parking adds to shoppers' Christmas stress

Paid parking at Chermside, after expiry of a time limit, may have made it easier to find a vacant parking space but, in the lead-up to Christmas, it is causing big headaches for shoppers and staff.

Customers who fail to finish their shopping within the free, three-hour window, as well as centre staff who pay to park at their workplace, say they are under increased stress.

Shopping-centre owner Westfield introduced paid parking at Queensland's largest shopping centre two months ago, despite a huge protest from retailers and customers.

Parking rates range from $2 for 3 hours to $20 for more than seven hours. Parking is free for any shopper who stays less than three hours but, according to those who made it out in time last week, the "incredible stress" is "not worth it".

"Just having to keep an eye on the time is a massive pain, I hate it," Grange resident Maria Reggi said. ''I only come here because of the shops and the variety, but I try to stay under the three hours.

"Obviously at Christmas time, that's really difficult to do. You can't even stop and have a cup of coffee any more. Not happy at all, we're going to Brookside where they have free parking."

A Westfield spokesperson said centre management was getting positive letters every day from shoppers happy with the new system.

"[The letters are] expressing that the new managed parking system, including the parking guidance system and Queensland's first valet service, has improved their parking experience and they are returning to Chermside," the spokesperson said.

"Before introducing managed parking, the average customer time was 101 minutes, and 96 per cent of customers shopped [in] under three hours. It is expected, with the introduction of managed parking, that the vast majority will continue to not pay for parking.''

Some customers admitted it had become easier to find parking at Chermside but complained of the time-limit pressure. Cheryl McMurtrie of Bridgeman Downs said she had arrived mid-morning and had no trouble finding a car space.

"I come during the day and there's plenty of parking, but I do have to pay for it, which I hate," she said.

"I went to the hairdresser. That took longer than three hours. If you're coming for a quick shop, the concept is good, but if you're coming for a half or full day to do Christmas shopping, it's a costly exercise."

One elderly couple did not have time to answer questions because they were running to their car to get out in time. "It's horrible, absolutely horrible," they said.

Isabella Reggi, who is employed as a casual staff member in the centre, said it was "obvious" people hated being there with a time restriction. "[Speaking] as staff working in the centre, customers are so riled up about it and it's staff who pay the price," she said.

"We might be trying to gift-wrap something and the customer is there saying, 'Hurry up. I've only got five minutes left.' It's really stressful. Everyone walking around the centre is stressed because they're on a time limit,'' Ms Reggi said.

"People don't need extra stress at this time of the year when Christmas shopping is already so hard."

Food retailers who spoke to The Sun-Herald said business was down. "Our takings are noticeably down and there's no doubt it's because of the paid parking," one man said.