SHOPPERS said they are being hit by unexpected £70 charges at a Bournemouth shopping centre.

Turbary Retail Park has recently started enforcing the penalty for people who park for more than three hours.

However regular customers told the Echo they didn’t know about the rules and were shocked to get the bill.

Victoria Wilkinson, 37, said she spent £230 in one visit at the Ringwood Road shopping centre.

She visited Dunelm Mill, TK Maxx, Matalan and The Range over three and a half hours – only to get the charge through the post.

She said: “I am so upset I feel like returning all my purchases to pay for the fine.

“There may be signs but I didn’t notice any and it’s hard to rush when you are pregnant.

“It’s not like a town centre car park where people will use it to commute – what else are you going to do around there but use the retail park?”

The manager of one store on the retail park said: “I personally am worried about this stopping people coming. People like to spend four or five hours.

“The signs have been up for two or three years but it’s only recently we’ve had people saying they’ve been charged.”

Neville Pymm, 86, from Moordown, went with his wife Mary, 76, spent around £100 and was also fined.

He said: “I have been going there for a few years and we usually go for a day out.

“I don’t mind paying to park but we had no idea at all the signs had been put up.”

A third shopper, who asked not to be named, said: “The businesses are apparently furious at the effect on trade. “Given the number of shops and restaurants surely they want people to stay, look around, spend money, eat and enjoy the facilities.”

The site’s managing agent, Goadsby, said the parking restrictions would be a matter for the owner, Canada Life, to deal with.

Canada Life have been unable to provide a comment.