Tesco is clamping down on customers who commit ‘despicable’ act outside stores

Parking up at Tesco to do her weekly shop, Nat stops for a second to snap a picture. She realises that the space she’s parked next to has a new sign in tow – and it’s designed to punish people who park incorrectly.

‘Parent and child only,’ the red sign reads, prompting a ‘well done’ from Nat in her TikTok video.

‘Misuse of these bays may result in a parking charge.’

While the supermarket has long been fining people who misuse parking bays, the increased signage is part of a new trial.

It’s intended to remind people of the rules, which ask people to show their valid Blue Badge when using disabled bays, and to make sure that parent-and-child bays are only used when a child is in the car, too.

Tesco doesn’t outline exactly how high the fine is for parking in a space the driver isn’t eligible for, but the current charge for overstaying is £100.

Nat isn’t the only one with strong opinions about people who use and abuse spaces intended for parents and children.

‘I’ve just committed a crime,’ a mum named Chloe Clayton admitted to her TikTok followers earlier this year. Her offence? Parking in a parent and child spot outside B&M when shopping without her kids. 

‘It’s a crime against all mothers and I am quite frankly ashamed of myself,’ she stated, adding that her actions were ‘despicable’ and ‘disgusting’ and she’s ‘mortified’ – especially as two other mums had given her dirty looks as she returned to her car. 

Fellow mums and dads have shared that they’ve been getting revenge on those who have been doing so at the supermarket and leisure centres.

A user named @twokidsnosleep shared her ‘petty’ response to a shopper outside Tesco, showing how she had placed a trolley directly behind the car in question and left it there for them to either deal with or reverse into.

While @thebabyfostersharer revealed they had snitched on a man who was hogging the parent parking spaces at a gym.

In a comment on the video sharing app, they wrote: ‘I went inside the gym, gave them the registration and asked them to call him ASAP as he left a child unattended – he went quiet explaining he didn’t have a child with him. The manager told him he was now on strike/warning as their T&Cs are clear on this.’

Others admitted to ‘confronting’ strangers over the issue in car parks, with some ‘yelling’ at the drivers about their lack of children, while a few also said they had started reported the number plates to store security.

Why are the spaces so important for parents?

The RAC explains that parent and child parking spots are bigger than standard parking bays.

Their website says: ‘The typical car parking space measures around 2.4 metres wide and 4.8 metres long, however, these dimensions were first introduced around 50 years ago – when vehicle sizes were considerably smaller.

‘Since then, there has also been a rise in the use of larger vehicles, such as SUVs, estate cars, vans, and even traditionally smaller models are now larger than previous editions.

‘Disabled and parent/child parking spaces are wider and longer to accommodate wheelchair and pushchair access. They are also located closer to the front door of shops or certain destinations.’

The additional space allows parents room to get their children out of the car safely and into pushchairs or to manoeuvre car seats. And the proximity to the stores also allows parents a safer and more accessible route as they are often near ramps and wider paths.

Metro asked parents to share why having designated parking spots was so important to them and why it was so frustrating when people without children parked there.

Laura Guckian, a mum-of-three and the founder of Mind Mommy Coaching said: ‘I wish there was more awareness that those “parent and child” spaces aren’t just for people with small babies. They’re also for parents of children of older children who may have additional needs but not eligible for a disabled parking permit.

‘My children are 4, 5 and 9 and I need to be closer to the shop to make it safer and easier to get in and out with them so I always park in the mother and baby spaces when they are with me.

‘Being out and about with kids can be really tricky and overwhelming. Those spaces aren’t a luxury. They can be the difference between being able to manage a quick shop or not.

‘I just wish, as a society, it was an unwritten rule that these spaces were respected and reserved for mothers, fathers, guardians and children without judgement or entitlement.

‘Why can’t we just have one thing that’s ours? One small thing that makes it a little bit easier.’

Why do people without children park in these spaces?

For some it’s a matter of convenience, as the spaces are right near the shop entrance, meaning it’s an ideal place to park when you want to dash in and out of a store.

A few people with health conditions pointed out their need to be closer to the shop too, as @emarich50 said: ‘I have Crohn’s Disease and if I need the toilet in a hurry I am parking in a parent and child space.’

It’s also becoming increasingly common for those with larger cars to nab the bigger spaces, as their cars take up so much room. TikToker @travelling.up.close confessed: ‘I do it all the time because I’ve got a big car and I can’t get out of it in a normal space.’

Some people also just don’t see an issue with doing it as it’s ‘not illegal’ to park in the parent spaces.

@alecallen1 shared: ‘I deliberately park in these spots because of you entitled parents.’

What should you do if you see someone misusing one of these spaces?

Experts at RAC have shared advice for how to handle the frustrating situation and they recommend speaking to a member of staff or the store manager, instead of confronting drivers.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams told Metro: ‘While it isn’t illegal to park in a parent and child bay without children in tow, drivers could be issued with a Parking Charge Notice.

‘These wider spaces are intended to make it easier for parents to get their children in and out of cars. 

‘In the event you spot someone misusing a parent and child bay, it’s best to report it to a store manager or member of staff.’

This article was first published on October 10, 2025.

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