BEALES has revealed details of the free parking it will offer customers in the absence of a scheme from BCP Council.

As previously reported, Beales boss Tony Brown accused the council of a “lack of respect” for retailers after it said it would not provide any free parking sessions in the run-up to Christmas.

He pledged the store would offer two hours’ free parking for its shoppers.

Beales has now said it will provide a £2 discount for those who park at the Dolphin Shopping Centre and spend £40 in its store.

A sign to be displayed in the store says: “Unfortunately, BCP Council have decided to to run the free parking scheme this year.

“So, in order to help with the ongoing cost of living crisis, we are giving our customers two hours’ free parking when you spend £40 or more in store on the below dates.”

The discount will apply on Thursdays December 1, 8, 15 and 22, from 4-8pm and on Sundays, December 4, 11 and 18, 11am-5pm.

It will only be claimable once on each date and customers must present a Dolphin Centre car park ticket.

BCP Council cited budget pressures for its decision not to provide free parking anywhere in the conurbation in the run-up to Christmas.

The decision was slammed by the conurbation’s four business improvement districts – Poole, Christchurch, Bournemouth Town Centre and Bournemouth Coastal – as a “hammer blow” to businesses.

They said: “It shows a lack of understanding of and support for our businesses as a whole and the pressures and issues they are facing.”

Tony Brown, chief executive of New Start 2020, which revived Beales in Poole’s Dolphin Shopping Centre, has said there is a “growing gap” between the council and the needs of business.

“They simply do not see a place for a vibrant retail/hospitality environment in any of the BCP area. We also need to reflect on the effect it will have on staff that would normally have enjoyed a break from the excessive parking charges over the Christmas period,” he said.