ALDI bosses have promised to cancel any parking fines dished out in the last month after shoppers threatened to boycott the store.

Frustrated Wickford residents have complained that they have been hit with unfair parking fines following a change in the parking rules at the Aldi in The Broadway.

Previously, shoppers could park for free at the supermarket but in December a new system was put in place where customers enter their registration on an electrical system.

Multiple shoppers have claimed they were not made aware of the changes and have since been fined, sparking calls on social media to “boycott the supermarket”.

Aldi has now responded to insist it will rescind any parking fines dished out in the last month, but said shoppers must start using the new system.

Billericay resident, Viv Devlin, 66, who was fined for using the car park, said: “I was in the car park for 12 minutes and I wasn’t best pleased when I got a fine in the post for £70.

“I thought, I’ll nip into Aldi to get some carrots and some vegetables and it was the first time I’ve been there in a while.

“I thought I’ll nip in and out and I drove in a few minutes, I honestly didn’t see any signs.

“My husband got on to the phone, complained about the lack of signage and they quite quickly rescinded it. They had several complaints and people have posted on Facebook.

“I have no intention of going again. While it was closed, we went to Lidl and Tesco and that was fine. I would join a boycott as it is out of order to do that to people. If you want people to come back after ten months don’t send them away with a £70 fine.

“It must be a massive irritation for the staff, exactly because they are the front line and they get it in the neck.”

Shoppers get 90 minutes free parking at the supermarket, but must still enter their registration into the system to avoid a fine.

An Aldi spokesperson said: “Our Wickford store offers 90 minutes of free parking to all customers.

"To limit car parking spaces to Aldi shoppers only, customers are asked to register their vehicle in store before shopping.

"Clear signage is displayed to explain this and our store team are on hand to assist if required.”