**New Parking Rules at Parc Trostre: Shoppers Warned of £100 Fines as ANPR Cameras Launched**
Visitors to one of Carmarthenshire’s busiest shopping destinations now face the risk of heavy penalties for failing to comply with recently-introduced parking regulations. Parc Trostre Retail Park in Llanelli, which welcomes thousands of shoppers each week, has implemented a new suite of parking controls, including the installation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. The new system comes into effect as of 1 May 2025, marking a significant change in how parking is managed across the expansive site.
The retail park, covering more than 450,000 square feet and featuring a host of major retailers such as TK Maxx, M&S and Sports Direct, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. However, this increase in visitors has also presented challenges in vehicle management and parking availability. In response, management has installed ANPR cameras throughout the car parks and introduced new time restrictions and enforcement measures.
Shoppers are still able to enjoy three hours of free parking during the day, but parking overnight is now strictly forbidden. Vehicles found in breach of the new regulations risk being subjected to a £100 penalty charge notice, as clearly stated on newly published signage on site. A spokesperson for Parc Trostre said, “From May 1, 2025, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will be in operation across Parc Trostre. Please take a moment to read the updated parking guidelines and new opening hours. Please note match days remain unaffected.”
Under the revised rules, visitors may park free of charge for up to three hours between 6am and 11pm. There is a maximum permitted stay of six hours within these times. Anyone seeking to stay overnight, from 11pm to 6am, is limited to a strict ten-minute period. This measure is intended to deter non-customer usage of the car park and to ensure spaces are available for legitimate shoppers during trading hours.
Additional terms apply to all motorists, including those with valid blue badges. All drivers are expected to park within marked bays, and those using accessible spaces must display the correct badge at all times. The enforcement extends to a ban on parking in service areas, on yellow lines or hatched zones, and prohibits causing obstruction to traffic, exits, or property. Failure to comply with any of these stipulations may result in the standard £100 fine.
The tougher parking regime arrives at a time when Parc Trostre is enjoying a revival after periods of uncertainty that saw several shop closures and frequent changes in tenancy. Established more than three decades ago, the retail park evolved from its origins as Trostre Fawr Farm, following supermarket giant Tesco’s relocation from the town centre in the late 1980s. Parc Trostre has since become a commercial anchor for the Llanelli area, attracting not just local shoppers but visitors from across south-west Wales.
Some members of the local community have queried whether the new measures are necessary, suggesting that the focus should be on supporting shoppers rather than introducing punitive fines. However, management argue that efficient parking control is essential to keep the retail park accessible and to prevent misuse by non-customers, particularly at night and during busy periods.
It is also worth noting that match days, which historically bring large volumes of football fans and increased vehicle traffic, are unaffected by the new system. The retail park’s proximity to sports venues has previously created unique pressures on parking capacity, but the management’s statement signals a desire to balance the needs of shoppers and event-goers alike.
For regular visitors and those considering a trip to Parc Trostre, the advice is straightforward: ensure you understand the revised parking conditions, stick to marked bays, and keep stays within the allowed timeframes. Ignoring these new guidelines could turn a day’s shopping into an expensive outing.
With the new ANPR system now operational, retail parks across Wales and the UK are watching closely to see how such technology can improve parking management, boost customer experience, and keep local businesses thriving amidst ever-changing retail trends.