Top tips to help remove stress of parking up at the shops

REVERSING in to the bay and picking an isolated space are two of the top tips for better parking at supermarkets and out of town retail parks.

Driving experts from LeaseCar.uk have revealed eight pieces of advice to help motorists remove the stress from getting their cars parked up at the shops.

1. Reverse in

It’s much easier and often safer to back in to a space when you first arrive at a car park, especially if it’s likely to be busier later on. This means you’ll be able to see your surroundings more clearly when it’s time to go home, allowing a quicker, stress-free getaway.

2. Keep it straight

Parking at a wonky angle or too close to the white lines at either side of your vehicle could leave you or a fellow shopper with a tight squeeze to get in and out of your car or even unable to open the door altogether.

3. Stay in the middle Stopping your car in the centre of the parking bay can be crucial once you’ve finished shopping – too close to the bay in front or behind and you or another could be struggling to get potentially heavy bags in to the boot. 4. Pick an isolated space

If you can see multiple consecutive bay are available upon entering a retail car park, don’t make life hard for yourself by squeezing right up to another car – choose a central one with a vacant one either side of it, to steer clear of hassle getting in and out.

5. Use an end space

Pulling up in a bay at the end of a row improves accessibility for a car’s occupants and for loading goods. It can also make parking and leaving easier and safer, by providing extra space to manoeuvre your car and clearer lines of sight.

6. Consider entrance distance

The location of a parking spot relative to the store you’re using can make all the difference. Families with young children, shoppers purchasing heavy goods, and the elderly or disabled should all try to get as close to the shop entrance as possible. Nervous parkers, those with large vehicles and drivers in no rush should park further away, where it’s quieter.

7. Locate the trolleys

The last thing shoppers need after trawling around a supermarket is a long walk to deposit their trolley after loading bags in to the boot. To avoid this, keep an eye out for the trolley sheds as you enter the car park and try to park close by.

8. Choose a memorable location

If you have the luxury of lots of bays to choose from in larger retail car parks, it’s wise to select a space that’s near a tree, building, fixed sign or landmark so that you can easily find your vehicle after you’ve finished shopping. Randomly dumping a car where it could be lost or forgotten could easily lead to unnecessary distress.