DISGRUNTLED shoppers were left frustrated this bank holiday weekend as access to a discount store was blocked for disabled residents.

For the duration of the whole bank holiday weekend two of the disabled parking bays at the B & M Store in Worting Road were obstructed by pallets of compost.

This meant disabled shoppers visiting the store were limited to spaces in front of the store, and because of the positioning of the pallets it also made access to the store itself difficult.

Ward councillor for Brookvale and King’s Furlong, Cllr Michael Westbrook, said that when he visited the store he saw one resident really struggling to get to the store the store as they could not park in the allocated disabled bay.

Cllr Westbrook said: “Many disabled people rely on cars for getting about. Whether they drive themselves or ride with someone else, the ease with which they can reach their destination is almost always determined by where the car can be parked.

“Parking bays for disabled people should be conveniently located and clearly signed.”

Cllr Westbrook added that when addressing staff at the Worting Road store he could not get an answer as to why the pallets were not unloaded, let alone left in the allocated disabled bays.

He added: “Therefore it’s of real concern that out of the 116 standard parking bays on offer they chose to remove the two which are so conveniently placed closed to the entrance, having witnessed shoppers struggling at the weekend I have asked the borough’s planning enforcement team to make enquiries.”

Since the issue was raised by Cllr Westbrook staff at the B & M Store have removed the pallets and management say that staff will receive further training as to no block access to disabled shoppers.

A spokeswoman from B & M Stores said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused, the pallets have been moved and colleagues have been retrained so this won’t happen again.”