The new owners of Altona’s IGA have ripped out the parking machine from their Pier Street supermarket.
The store was taken over by Metcash last month.
The move comes as Hobsons Bay council trials free parking in Williamstown to help struggling Nelson Place traders, and as Maribyrnong council uses security patrols to guard new meters in Yarraville which were vandalised twice in a fortnight.
Altona IGA spokesman Tim Wisdom said paid parking had cost the business.
“The store was owned originally by an independent retailer and he, unfortunately, had to exit the business for financial reasons,” he said.
“We’ve taken over the store, getting it running so the community can shop here again.
“The important part for us was to remove any kind of barrier where a customer would have to pay for parking.”
Mr Wisdom said Metcash felt paid parking deterred shoppers.
“If you come to shop at IGA you shouldn’t have to pay for parking,” he said.
Mr Wisdom said some of the people parking at IGA were not customers, but that wasn’t a problem.
“I know local gym members are using the park, and [customers from] the cafe across the road are using the carpark, but it’s not an issue as long as it’s not full and our shoppers can find somewhere to park,” he said.
Hobsons Bay council is waiving $3-an-hour parking fees in Nelson Place, Williamstown, from Monday to Thursday until the end of October.
Parking is free between Thompson and Pasco streets, and in Syme Street.
