A regular visitor to Blanchardstown Centre has said she will no longer visit once parking charges are brought in, describing the scheme as “too greedy”. 

Blanchardstown Centre has successfully applied for permission from Fingal County Council to develop a number of new car parks - which they will charge people to use. 

Thousands of people have signed a petition against the change, which describes the proposal as inappropriate in a cost of living crisis. 

On Lunchtime Live, Carmel in Westmeath said she will no longer visit once the charges are introduced. 

 “I used to go to Blanchardstown and Liffey Valley with my husband,” she explained. 

“When we go, we’d make a day of it. We’d go to different department stores to buy stuff for our sons. 

“Then we’d go for dinner and we’d go for lunch.

“But now I do all my shopping online; everything I bought this Christmas for my sons has been bought online.” 

Blanchardstown Centre Shopping Mall. Picture by: Alamy.com.

All that Carmel plans on buying in person for her family this Christmas are selection boxes. 

“I would have started early in the morning and stayed in Blanch for the day,” she added. 

“Just going to and from my car with parcels and bags, but now they’re introducing paid parking. 

“Well, it’s bad enough at Christmastime without queuing to pay on the way out as well. 

“I’d say it’s going to be a nightmare.” 

Carmel predicted that restaurants will “definitely lose out on this” but said retailers might be able to re-coop their losses through online sales. 

“It’s got too greedy, I think,” she said. 

“The shopping centre’s getting enough off you with your purchases and now they’re going to sting you as well for parking fees?”

Main image: A car Parking machine. Picture by: Alamy.com.