THE every little that helps is about to become littler. Tesco's Kingsbridge store has announced plans to cut free parking from three hours to two.

Store manager Tris Somerville said: 'Our customers told us they were finding it increasingly difficult to find a parking space at peak times.

'To ensure our customers have an enjoyable shopping experience we are reducing parking times to two hours from Friday, March 30.

'Feedback from our customers ahead of the change has been fantastic and overwhelmingly supportive.'

Peter Richardson, treasurer of Kingsbridge and Salcombe Chamber of Commerce, said he has had frequent meetings with Mr Somerville during the past year and discussed the parking question at length on many occasions.

Mr Richardson said: 'Their manager has stressed that he would not wish to do anything that harmed the Fore Street retailers by reducing the permitted parking time.

'However, in high summer and during the recent road works, the situation has become such that they feel they have to do something to counteract the fact that their car park can be full but very few people are shopping in their store.'

Martin Johnson, Kingsbridge town clerk, said: 'Approval of outline application for the food store on March 15, 2007, provided a host of conditions. One required the submission of a car park management plan. It reads: 'The plan shall: prevent long stay free car parking in the store car park.'

Subsequently the approved plans included the agreement that 'the first two hours parking are free of charge and anything in excess of this will be subject to a fine'.

Mr Johnson said: 'The subsequent move to provide an extra hour was negotiated by district councillor Rufus Gilbert with Tesco on behalf of the local community and traders.

'In a nutshell, planning approval is for two hours free car parking and the extra hour was voluntarily agreed by Tesco.'

South Hams Council confirmed that this information was correct.

Kathy Ireland, secretary for the chamber of commerce, said: 'It should be noted that in comparison with other free parking in the town a two-hour limitation is still generous, it exceeds the free parking period allowed by Morrisons.

'Morrisons also stipulate that once the free parking period has been reached there is no return for two hours – at Tesco, when you reach your permitted time limit you can return at your convenience.'