THE area manager of Toby Carvery has released a statement explaining why parking charges have been introduced at the company’s Greenmount pub.

The company’s decision to start charging for parking caused anger among residents in December last year.

In an email sent to Alistair Waddell, chairman of Greenmount Village Community Group, Graham Holton reiterated that the reason for putting in the charges is that the car park has been used by people not visiting the pub and “putting off genuine guests from visiting us”.

Anger over decision to charge for parking at Toby Carvery in Greenmount

Mr Holton added: “Our disabled guests cannot park in the selected bays, abandoned cars are being left in the car park, and suppliers are sometimes finding it difficult to deliver.

“We wish to work with the community, but also have a responsibility to our genuine guests.” Motorists will be able to park overnight for free if they give their car registration to pub staff.