๐ The Co-operative Food West Hill Car Park โ The Definitive Saint Austell Parking Guide
Free 90-minute customer parking at The Co-op Saint Austell โ 24 bays on West Hill, steps from town centre shops, railway station & Cornwallโs Eden Project bus links.
๐ Type: Private Customer Car Park
๐ Open: Daily 07:00 โ 22:00
๐ Rating: 4.3 / 5 (Google Reviews)
๐ฐ Pricing & Permits
Cost: Free (90-minute maximum stay, strictly enforced)
Overstay Penalty: Fixed penalty ยฃ70, reduced to ยฃ35 if paid within 14 days
Payment: No pay-and-display; enforcement via ANPR
๐ Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | 24 (white-lined bays) |
| Disabled Bays | 2 marked Blue Badge spaces |
| Surface | Level tarmac with clear bay lines |
| Lighting | Perimeter LED bollards |
| Security | ANPR cameras (remotely monitored) |
| Height Limit | None (suitable for vans) |
โฟ Accessibility
Step-free access to store entrance via wide ramp
Nearest Adapted Parking: Bodmin Road Car Park (0.5 mi; 5 bays)
Drop-Off Zone: Adjacent to main entrance
๐ EV Infrastructure
On-Site Charging: None
Nearest Options:
Tesco Extra St Austell (Higher Trewhiddle, PL25 3TS): 4ร 7 kW chargers โ 6-minute walk
Morrisons St Austell (Sanfield Road, PL25 4DQ): 2ร 22 kW chargers โ 8-minute walk
๐ Peak Times & Occupancy (Estimates)
| Timeframe | Occupancy | User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 09:00โ11:00 | 80 % | Morning shoppers & commuters |
| Weekdays 12:00โ14:00 | 70 % | Lunchtime shoppers |
| Weekdays 17:00โ19:00 | 55 % | After-work errands |
| Saturdays 10:00โ14:00 | 95 % | Weekend shoppers |
| Sundays 11:00โ15:00 | 85 % | Leisure visitors |
Pro Tip: When full, use West Gate Street Car Park (PL25 5QR; pay-and-display, ยฃ1/hr).
๐ถ Walkability Score
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Austell Railway Station | 4 min | Trains to London Paddington & Penzance |
| Cornwall Bus Hub (Eden Project) | 6 min | Direct service to Eden Project |
| Fore Street Shopping | 3 min | Local boutiques, cafรฉs & eateries |
| St Austell Brewery | 5 min | Guided tours & beer tasting |
๐ Nearby Amenities
Essentials
Public toilets: Market House (0.2 mi)
ATM: Lloyds Bank (Fore Street, 0.1 mi)
Pharmacy: Boots (Morleys Arcade, 0.2 mi)
Food & Drink
The Cornish Bakery (0.1 mi)
Prince of Wales (0.1 mi) โ traditional pub fare
Caffe Nero (0.1 mi)
Costa Coffee (0.2 mi)
๐ ฟ๏ธ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Max Stay | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Gate Street Car Park | 0.2 mi | ยฃ1.00/h (ยฃ6 max) | 12 h | Central location, 24/7 access |
| Bodmin Road Car Park | 0.5 mi | Free (90 min) | 90 min | Blue Badge bays |
| Polkyth Road Car Park | 0.6 mi | ยฃ0.80/h (up to 8 h) | 8 h | CCTV-monitored |
โ ๏ธ Important Notices
Overstay Penalties: Issued by ANPR operator; appeals via independent parking adjudicator
Event Days to Avoid:
St Austell Proms (July)
Clay Country Festival (August)
Maintenance: Annual line-repainting in March; next due March 2026
๐ Expert Tips
Early Shopper Advantage: Arrive before 09:00 for most bays available
Receipt Validation: Show in-store till receipt to extend stay up to 2 hours
Bay Selection: Park near eastern corner for quickest entry/exit
๐ฎ Future Developments
2025: Proposal to add 4 EV bays under Cornwall Councilโs Green Infrastructure Fund
2027: Potential extension of bay count to 30, subject to planning approval
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