A COUNCIL has issued an update on controversial parking charges at a shopping centre in Cheshire.

The owners of Green Oaks Shopping Centre in Widnes have introduced fees of £1 per day for motorists using its car park.

And as of Monday, May 24, anyone parking without paying will be liable to pay a fine.

A Halton Borough Council spokesman said: “The council has been advised that from May 24 onwards, the owners of Green Oaks Shopping Centre in Widnes are issuing penalty charge notice tickets for non-payment of the £1 parking charge.

“This means that if you park without paying the £1 charge, you will receive a PCN ticket.

“Following representations from the council, it had been agreed that the company would not issue any PCNs until May 10 to any customer who parked but did not pay. This was to allow customers to get used to the new system.

“The company then extended this grace period for a further two weeks until May 23.

“Now, from May 24 onwards, PCN tickets are being issued to people who have not paid the £1 per day parking.

“I would stress that it was a decision of the company to start charging for parking.”