MATALAN AND SMART PARKING LTD

That this House condemns the actions of companies, such as the retailer Matalan, who continue to employ the organisation Smart Parking Ltd to manage car parking for its outlets, including its store in Worksop, Nottinghamshire where recently it issued a parking fine against severely disabled shopper, Richard Cheshire, a wheelchair user, who despite the fact that prior to his visit had called the company to check it held the product and enquired whether he could park nearby because of his disabilities and then again on arrival, was requested by staff to confirm his permission to park at the site; is shocked by the company's continued refusal to cancel the fine and the issuing of threats against this shopper; and considers that such behaviour is an affront against the needs of disabled people and other customers.