🚗 Waitrose Car Park Bertie Road – The Complete Kenilworth Town Centre Parking Guide
2-hour free customer parking in Kenilworth town centre (ANPR)—steps from Kenilworth Station, Talisman Square & Abbey Fields. Clear rules, nearby long-stay options, and everything you need for a smooth visit.
Address: 51 Bertie Rd, Kenilworth CV8 1JP
Coordinates: 52.3428286, -1.5765656
🚗 Type: Supermarket Customer Car Park (ANPR-controlled)
🕒 Open: Access typically aligns with store hours: Mon–Sat 08:00–21:00; Sun 10:00–16:00 (always follow on-site signage for any seasonal variations)
🌟 Rating: n/a (supermarket car parks are not consistently rated; treat store review scores separately)
💰 Pricing & Permits
Core Policy: Free parking for customers up to 2 hours. The car park is monitored by ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition). Your stay duration is measured from camera capture on entry to camera capture on exit.
- Maximum Stay: 2 hours per visit (typical).
- No Return Window: Usually no return within 2 hours (wording may vary).
- Payment: Not required for stays within the free 2 hours. There is generally no paid extension beyond the free period here—if you need longer, move to a council long-stay nearby.
- Enforcement: Breaches can lead to a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) issued by the private operator managing the site on behalf of the landowner.
- Grace Periods: Many ANPR sites apply short grace periods for entry/exit; do not rely on this—plan to depart well within time.
- Final Authority: On-site signage always prevails over summaries. Terms can change; check the boards on arrival.
Who can use this car park?
- Customers of Waitrose & Partners during a short shop or collection.
- Non-customers should assume restrictions are enforced—this is private land. If you are not shopping or need longer than 2 hours, use one of the public long-stay alternatives listed below.
📊 Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | ~210 bays overall (multi-level including covered and open deck; figure indicative) |
| Layout | Combination of covered decks and open-air rooftop/upper deck |
| Lighting | Good general illumination in circulation areas; improved visibility in covered sections |
| Security | ANPR at entries/exits; CCTV presence may vary across levels |
| Height Limit | Up to ~2.79 m in covered sections (always check the barrier sign before entering with vans/high SUVs) |
| Traffic Flow | One-way ramps and marked arrows; short queuing possible at busy times |
| Markings | Standard bay markings; some parent-and-child and Blue Badge bays near store entrance |
| Trolleys | Trolley bays present—don’t block or overhang lines |
| Loading | Observe any marked loading only or no stopping areas near the entrance |
Notes: Capacity numbers for private supermarket car parks aren’t always published; the above is a practical working estimate based on public references and site layout. Always treat on-site bay counts and restrictions as definitive.
♿ Accessibility
- Blue Badge Bays: Marked bays are typically located closest to the store entrance for step-free access.
- Surface & Ramps: The site provides step-free routes from accessible bays to the store via ramps/lifts (where provided).
- Kerbs & Drop-offs: Suitable kerb drops are present in front-of-store areas; do not leave vehicles unattended in any no stopping zones.
- Toilets: The nearest public toilets are located at Abbey End (town centre public conveniences). Opening hours vary by season; plan accordingly.
- Blue Badge in Private Car Parks: Blue Badge concessions do not automatically override private land rules. The 2-hour limit still typically applies unless the signage expressly states otherwise. For longer stays, relocate to a council long-stay option where Blue Badge concessions are clearly stated on machines/apps/signs.
🔌 EV Infrastructure
- On-Site at Waitrose (Bertie Rd): No dedicated EV chargers confirmed on this site.
- Nearest Public EV Options:
- Abbey End Car Park (CV8 1QJ): BP Pulse fast chargers (dual-socket posts; a bank of AC units). Registration/app is typically required; parking & charging fees apply.
- Holiday Inn Kenilworth (Abbey End): A BP Pulse rapid unit (subject to availability) for quicker top-ups.
- Other Local Options: Additional AC/rapid points are dispersed across Kenilworth; check your preferred EV app for live status and pricing.
EV Etiquette & Tips:
- Move your car promptly once charging is complete—overstay fees and idle fees may apply on certain networks.
- Bring your RFID card/app ready; mobile signal can vary inside covered decks.
- If you need to charge while shopping, go straight to Abbey End to avoid time pressure from the 2-hour supermarket limit.
📅 Peak Times & Typical Occupancy
Live occupancy data isn’t published for this site, but patterns are predictable for a central supermarket car park:
| Timeframe | Occupancy (est.) | Dominant User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 10:30–14:30 | High | Shoppers / café users / quick errands |
| School Run 15:00–16:30 | High | Short-stay drop-offs/pickups |
| Saturdays 10:00–16:00 | Very High | Town-centre & Castle/Abbey Fields visitors combining errands |
| Evenings after 18:00 | Low–Moderate | Dining nearby / quick shops |
Pro Tips for Capacity:
- Arrive early for a convenient bay on Saturday late morning.
- If you plan to exceed 2 hours, don’t risk it—go straight to Abbey End or Square West (both long-stay) to avoid an ANPR PCN.
- During wet weather and pre-holiday weeks, demand spikes and circulation can be slower in covered decks—allow extra time to park and exit.
🚶 Walkability Score (from Bertie Road)
| Destination | Walk Time | Why Park Here |
|---|---|---|
| Kenilworth Station | ~5–7 min | Ideal for quick drop-offs/pickups; for all-day rail trips, use the station car park instead. |
| Talisman Square | ~2–3 min | Core town-centre retail cluster, cafés, banks, pharmacy—everything within a short stroll. |
| Abbey Fields | ~10–12 min | Green space, play area and seasonal facilities—great for a short break from errands. |
| Kenilworth Castle | ~18–22 min | A pleasant town walk; avoid queuing at the Castle car park on fair-weather weekends. |
| Abbey End | ~4–6 min | Food & drink spots, public conveniences, and EV chargers in the council car park. |
Walk times are approximate and assume an average pace on town pavements; always allow extra time if travelling with children, mobility aids, or during poor weather.
🛒 Nearby Amenities (Fast Access)
Essentials
- Public Toilets: Abbey End (seasonal opening hours).
- ATM / Banking: Kenilworth Post Office, 59 Abbey End, CV8 1QJ (short walk).
- Pharmacy: Boots, 2 Talisman Square, CV8 1JB (handy for prescriptions and health essentials).
Food & Drink (2–10 min on foot)
- The Almanack (gastropub, Abbey End): reliable for lunch and casual dinners.
- Virgins & Castle (historic pub, High St): classic English pub atmosphere with period character.
- Independent cafés dotted around Talisman Square and along Warwick Rd, good for a quick coffee before rejoining.
Groceries & Services at Store
- Waitrose & Partners Kenilworth offers in-store counters, click-and-collect, and a food-to-go area—useful if you’re staying strictly under 2 hours.
🅿️ Alternative Parking Comparison (when you need more than 2 hours)
If your itinerary exceeds the supermarket limit, switch to public long-stay. These car parks are pay and display / pay by phone with clearly posted tariffs.
| Site | Distance (walk) | Cost (typical day) | Max Stay | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey End (Council) | ~4–6 min | Daytime tariffs by hour (e.g., 1h £1.40, 10h £7.30, 24h £12.00; evening flat rate after 18:00) | 24h | 217 spaces, EV chargers on site; close to cafés & facilities |
| Square West (Council) | ~6–8 min | Daytime tariffs by hour (e.g., 1h £1.30, 10h £7.30, 24h £12.00) | 24h | 128 spaces; dependable long-stay for errands + |
| Kenilworth Station (Saba) | ~5–7 min | Indicative: Off-peak ~£2.50, Day ~£3.50, longer-term options available | 24h | Best for rail users; typically fills early on weekdays |
| Abbey Fields (Council) | ~10–12 min | Daytime tariffs aligned with district pricing; seasonal use | 24h | Adjacent to park & leisure; scenic stop for longer visits |
Tariffs are indicative and may change—read the pay machine/app each day for the current rates and any event-day pricing.
⚠️ Important Notices
- ANPR Enforcement: This site uses entry/exit cameras. If you exceed the posted 2-hour maximum or breach no return rules, expect a Parking Charge Notice by post.
- Private Land Rules: This is not a council car park—Blue Badge rules differ on private sites; always follow the posted terms.
- Overnight / Out-of-Hours: Access is primarily aligned to store hours. Do not assume free overnight parking or after-hours stays are allowed.
- Signage = Final Word: If on-site boards differ from any third-party summary, the boards win. Photograph the main signs if you need to recall terms later.
- Busy Periods: Pre-holiday evenings, Saturday late mornings, and rainy days can trigger deck queues. Patience and safe following distances are essential on ramps.
📌 Expert Tips (Compliance & Convenience)
Time Management
- Start a timer at arrival. Set it to 1h45–1h50 to allow time to pay & pack and reach the exit before the ANPR clock hits 2:00.
- If you’re shopping plus coffee, leave extra margin—queuing at checkout still counts towards the ANPR-measured stay.
Trip Planning
- Need longer than 2 hours? Park directly at Abbey End or Square West. This avoids clock-watching and lets you add a stroll in Abbey Fields or a visit to the Castle.
- Rail day trip? Use Kenilworth Station car park—low daily rates vs the risk of a supermarket PCN.
Blue Badge
- On private land, Blue Badge does not automatically grant longer stays. For extended visits, choose a council long-stay with clearly defined concessions, and check the machine/app signage for any Blue Badge terms.
Vehicles & Dimensions
- If you drive a tall van/SUV, note the height limit signage before entering covered decks. If in doubt, use an open-air level or a council surface car park.
Weather & Decks
- In heavy rain, covered decks fill first; consider Square West as a back-up to avoid circling.
- In hot weather, shaded covered bays are popular—arrive early for comfort.
PCN Avoidance Basics
- Don’t tailgate on exit—let the ANPR camera capture each plate cleanly.
- Avoid ambiguous bay usage (e.g., partially over lines, blocking trolley areas, stopping in loading zones).
🔮 Future Developments & What to Watch
- Council Tariffs: Warwick District Council reviews public car park tariffs periodically. Expect incremental updates year-to-year and occasional structural changes (e.g., introducing a 24-hour band or changing the all-day definition).
- Event Charging: Certain council sites may apply special event tariffs when large local events are scheduled (markets, festivals, fireworks nights).
- EV Expansion: The local EV network is growing. While there’s no confirmed on-site EV at Waitrose Bertie Rd, more fast/rapid units are appearing around the town—check live status via your preferred app before you arrive.
✅ At-a-Glance Summary (Keep This Handy)
- Free 2-hour customer parking (ANPR) at Waitrose Bertie Rd; no return window typically applies.
- Do not overstay—move to Abbey End or Square West for long-stay.
- Nearest EV: Abbey End (multiple AC bays) and Holiday Inn (rapid).
- Walkability: Station 5–7 min, Talisman Square 2–3 min, Abbey Fields 10–12 min, Castle 18–22 min.
- Accessibility: Blue Badge bays near entrance; step-free routes to store; public toilets at Abbey End.
- Store Hours (guide): Mon–Sat 08:00–21:00, Sun 10:00–16:00 (check local notices for bank holidays).
Extended Guidance & Deep-Dive Notes (for operations, client comms & policy packs)
1) Understanding ANPR Sites (Private Land)
ANPR supermarkets operate with contractual terms displayed at the entrance and around the car park. By parking and remaining on site, the motorist accepts those terms. Typical headline terms include maximum stay, no return windows, bay restrictions (e.g., parent-and-child, Blue Badge), and conduct rules (e.g., no overnight, no abandoned vehicles, no trading).
For compliant operations and customer satisfaction:
- Encourage clear, readable signage at entry (driver’s eye height) and on pedestrian routes from bays to the store.
- Ensure sign positioning avoids obstruction by trolleys, displays, or seasonal décor.
- Keep lines freshly marked—faded bay lines increase disputes about contraventions (straddling bays, misuse of restricted areas).
Incident Prevention:
- If queueing on ramps occurs, deploy temporary cones and staff to direct traffic during peak periods (e.g., pre-Christmas).
- Coordinate with store teams to open extra tills or self-checkout lanes when occupancy is high to reduce checkout-related overstays.
2) Two-Hour Limit in Practice (Customer Journey)
A typical compliant journey at this site:
- Arrival: Driver enters; ANPR captures plate and time.
- Shop: 45–60 minutes to shop, plus 10–15 minutes for coffee/errands in Talisman Square.
- Checkout & Exit: Allow buffer time to avoid the ANPR clock surpassing two hours due to queueing, lift waits, or loaded-trolley manoeuvres.
Operational Tip: Prominently display a “Set a Timer Now” reminder near the store entrance and on lift lobby posters. Subtle nudges reduce accidental overstays and friction.
3) Blue Badge, Equality & Reasonable Adjustments
Blue Badge entitlements on public highways and council car parks do not automatically apply on private land. Nevertheless, reasonable adjustments under equality law require fair access. Recommended practice:
- Maintain adequate count of accessible bays near entrances.
- Keep ramps, lifts, and doors in working order; audit frequently.
- Provide assistance points (e.g., customer service) for those who need help with trolleys or carrying goods.
- Where practical, offer discretion for genuine accessibility-related delays (store management’s call, applied fairly and consistently).
4) Communication Templates (Customer-Facing)
Short-Stay Reminder (on receipts or A-boards)
“This car park is ANPR-monitored with a 2-hour maximum stay. Please plan your visit accordingly. If you need longer, nearby Abbey End and Square West offer long-stay parking.”
EV Guidance Snippet (website/store page)
“Need to charge while you shop? There are public BP Pulse chargers at Abbey End (short walk). Please do not exceed the supermarket car park 2-hour limit while charging—use long-stay options instead.”
5) Edge Cases & Dispute Mitigation
- Shopping + adjacent appointment (e.g., pharmacy or optician): Recommend customers split their trip or use long-stay to avoid overstays.
- Click & Collect delays: If queuing occurs due to operational delays, document the issue and consider gesture-of-goodwill actions where appropriate.
- Faulty pay machine? (Rare here as stays are free under 2 hours): For nearby council car parks, advise app payment as a back-up and retain screenshots of confirmations.
6) Alternative Parking—When & Why
Encourage immediate diversion to long-stay when customers anticipate more than 90 minutes on site. Early decisions reduce congestion and overstay anxiety, especially on Saturdays and during events. The Station car park is optimal for rail days; Abbey End is the best all-rounder for town centre + EV.
7) Event Days, Weather & Traffic Management
Kenilworth hosts markets, community fairs, and seasonal events that can compress capacity across the town centre. On such days:
- Expect earlier peak occupancy in supermarket bays (pre-shopping + event cross-traffic).
- Advise staff to signpost Abbey End/Square West proactively.
- For sustained heavy rain, direct customers to covered decks first, while monitoring circulation safety on ramps.
8) Safety & Housekeeping
- Keep pedestrian routes clear—especially near trolley bays and lift lobbies.
- In low-light conditions, confirm lighting is active and replace failed luminaires promptly.
- Mark any minor surface defects (e.g., potholes) with temporary paint/cones and schedule repairs.
- Spill response: Ensure spill kits are accessible for oil/fuel leaks to reduce slip risks.
9) Freight, Suppliers & Early Morning Access
Supermarket delivery schedules often coincide with low-traffic early hours. Where delivery bays interact with customer parking flows:
- Maintain clear demarcation and ensure HGV manoeuvres do not obstruct ANPR capture points.
- If cones/barriers are used, ensure they do not block accessible bays or emergency egress.
10) Data Privacy & Signage
ANPR usage should be transparently signposted, with:
- Operator identity and contact details
- Purpose of data capture (parking management)
- Retention period and rights information
- Clear reference to the contractual terms forming the basis for enforcement
Good signage reduces disputes and improves compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions (for Customer Service Teams)
Q: Can I stay over 2 hours if I keep shopping?
A: Assume no. The 2-hour maximum is the rule on private supermarket car parks unless signage states otherwise. Use Abbey End or Square West for longer visits.
Q: Do I need to validate in store?
A: This site is ANPR-controlled rather than ticket-validated. Stick to the time limit and exit within two hours to avoid a PCN.
Q: I have a Blue Badge—can I stay longer?
A: On private land, Blue Badge doesn’t automatically extend stay times. For longer or more flexible stays, relocate to a council long-stay where concessions are clearly stated.
Q: Are there EV chargers here?
A: Not on the Waitrose site. Use Abbey End (fast AC units) or the Holiday Inn rapid nearby.
Q: Is overnight parking allowed?
A: No—do not assume overnight is allowed. Access is generally tied to store hours and posted rules.
Q: What if I only overrun by a few minutes?
A: ANPR measures from camera timestamps. Keep a buffer and aim to depart well within the limit.
Light Itinerary Ideas (If You’re Parking for <2 Hours)
- Errand Dash (45–60 min): Park, grab essentials at Waitrose, pop to Boots in Talisman Square, and back before your alarm.
- Coffee + Park (90 min): Shop, quick coffee, short stroll towards Abbey Fields, and return—set your 1h45 alarm.
- Click & Collect + Station Pickup (30–45 min): Collect groceries, then a brisk walk to Kenilworth Station to meet a traveler; depart promptly.
Final Reminders
- Supermarket limit: 2 hours. No return typically 2 hours.
- Store hours: Mon–Sat 08:00–21:00, Sun 10:00–16:00 (check for bank-holiday variations).
- Long-stay nearby: Abbey End, Square West, Abbey Fields, Kenilworth Station (for rail).
- EV: Abbey End and Holiday Inn options close by.
- Accessibility: Use Blue Badge bays near the entrance; public conveniences at Abbey End.
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