TRADERS have hit out at a supermarket after it changed its parking policy.

For the last three decades, owners of businesses in Guiseley say Morrisons has allowed drivers to use its car park for free and stay as long as they want.

However, as of Monday, new cameras will be put in place to enforce a new rule which will stop motorists parking at the supermarket for no longer than three hours.

Traders say the previous parking agreement was in place long before the supermarket arrived in the town and bosses of the supermarket giant honoured it when the store opened its doors.

That will change next week after Morrisons said customers complained the car park was too busy during the day, and cars will only be allowed to stay there for three hours from 9am to 5pm.

Adam Haigh, owner of Haigh’s Bakery, in Otley Road, said: “We feel like we aren’t important.

“Where are my day staff going to park?

“Everyone will start parking on streets and upset residents.”

Sara Wellman, owner of Bellissima salon, added: “Most businesses in Guiseley are open from 9am to 5pm.

“If someone goes shopping or for a coffee, where are they going to park?

“Then there’s the issue with going to the doctors’ surgery.”

Morrisons has told businesses they will be given permits for their staff, but traders claim this will not work because the cameras can only recognise number plates.

Richard Arnott, managing director of Pendar Technologies Limited, added: “There are a lot of issues here and we want to bring them into the conversation.

“We don’t want a war with Morrisons, we want to engage in a dialogue.

“The high street will remain and we want everything to move forward sensibly.”

A Morrisons spokesman said: “Customers have been telling us that they’re finding it very hard to find a space at busy times so we’ve introduced a three hour limit.

“We’ll listen to the businesses concerns.”