MORE shoppers are complaining after being hit with £70 charges at Turbary Retail Park.

The charges for staying more than three hours were not applied until the new year and the decision has caught out many long standing visitors.

Terri Brandon-White, 43, from Christchurch, spent around £150 during a three and a half hour visit with daughter Milly, five, and was then hit with the demand.

She said: “We always go there and I had no idea they had started charging. The signs are very small and all the way up on these posts.”

Customer Michael Donohue, 70, from Southbourne, said his wife Rita, 67, and friend, were charged after a stay of around three and three quarter hours.

He said: “They made all the effort to go across town and this is how they get repaid. I suppose the answer is to shop elsewhere.”

A spokesman for owners Canada Life Investments said: “The system was introduced at the request of tenants concerned that nearby businesses were using the Retail Park for their employees. “It was suggested the three hour maximum was sufficient for customers while preventing misuse.

“The signposting is in line with other car parks and is considered adequate.

“The adjacent Ringwood Retail Park, comprising TK Maxx, JJB Sports, Argos Extra & Sports Direct, is under different ownership.”