A RETAIL park has changed its controversial car parking policy after shoppers raised concerns.

An automatic number plate recognition system was brought in at Junction Nine Retail Park last month, with residents allowed to park at the Winwick Road site for a maximum of four hours.

But motorists had raised concerns around the new policy also including a condition that shoppers would not be allowed to return to the retail park within two hours.

Failure to comply with these terms would result in a £100 fine.

Customers took to social media to express their anger, branding the no return policy as 'ridiculous', 'a joke' and a 'money-making racket'.

Some residents also pointed out that the system would mean they would be unable to leave their pets at the retail park's groomers - sited in Pets at Home - and then return later to pick them up again.

But the car park's operators Smart Parking have now removed the no return condition following 'consultations with stakeholders'.

A spokesman for Smart Parking said: "Smart Parking was brought in to manage parking at Junction Nine Retail Park to prevent abuse of the parking facilities to ensure that genuine users of the park are catered for.

"In order to ensure that shoppers will always have a place to park there is a four hours maximum stay enforced.

"Initially the parking terms and conditions also included a no return policy, but this has been removed as part of consultations with stakeholders.

"We would remind motorists parking on private land to always read the terms and conditions before they decide to park."

Formerly known as Alban Retail Park, it was rebranded as Junction Nine Retail Park last year after a number of new units were opened - with others refurbished - and brands including Nando's, Dunelm, Iceland's Food Warehouse and Subway welcomed to the site.