Article & Video: Split views over paid parking introduction at The Glen Shopping Centre

By Lauren Choo

MIXED response from shoppers have been received with the upcoming introduction of paid parking at The Glen Shopping Centre.

While some shoppers would still frequent The Glen despite having to pay for parking, others have taken to going online to show they were discouraged by the fact that this was even considered.

Cars parked at The Glen on a sunny weekend afternoon. Source: Lauren Choo

Ms Jo, a shopper at The Glen, said that paying for parking is not an issue “as long as the first three parking is free”.

Another elderly couple who frequently shops at The Glen, said that the parking situation was not “too terrible” and the implementation of paid parking was because “they (The Glen) just want the money”.

Mr Ahmed, who works and shops at The Glen, was unhappy with the paid parking situation and said it was “a waste of money”.

Regardless, the paid parking plans have not deterred majority of the shoppers at The Glen.

However, online comments on the article that reported plans of paid parking at The Glen were not as positive.

One commenter stated they would have lost a customer with the introduction of paid parking, saying that there are “many other shopping centres with free parking that are just as good if not better”.

Unhappy commenter in the comments section who disagrees with the paid parking plans. Source: heraldsun.com.au

Another commenter said that this would deter many locals from shopping at The Glen and that there were “plenty of shopping alternatives nearby”, possibly driving business away from The Glen.

Another unhappy commenter, who feels that the paid parking plans will cause business to drop at The Glen. Source: heraldsun.com.au

Roughly 550 car park spaces will be added as part of the $490 million redevelopment at the centre, bringing the total spaces to more than 3650.

The Glen is considering introducing a ticketless parking system, similar to the type Eastland Shopping Centre uses.

The Glen spokeswoman Ali O’Shea said the centre would continue to offer free parking “for a period” and they were finalising the new parking system.

“The availability and ease of parking is important to our customers and we want to ensure that we have maximum parking available for our guests,” Mrs O’Shea said.

“The New Glen will offer a new and enhanced experience and we want to ensure our parking will complement this by providing an improved customer experience.”

Mrs O’Shea has not confirmed what The Glen’s parking rates would be, and it remains unclear if business at The Glen would be affected with the introduction of paid parking.