AN Oxford hotel is preparing to introduce parking charges after Westgate shoppers started using its car park.

Oxford Spires Hotel in Abingdon Road has put up signs warning guests and other visitors they will soon face charges for parking on site.

Reception supervisor Szymon Szymczyk said the new charging system was being introduced after drivers who were not guests took up spaces in the car park.

He said: “We think Westgate shoppers have been driving in and parking for free before walking into the city centre.

“There have been occasions when guests have found it difficult to find a space and of course that’s not ideal.

“The hotel car park is not a public car park but it was being treated that way by some drivers.

“Some of the drivers who are not guests may have been parking here for other reasons but the opening of the Westgate Centre seems to have had an effect.”

Jacquie Pearce-Gervis, a spokesman for health watchdog Patient Voice, said she used the hotel’s swimming pool, and was a regular visitor as she is a member of a lunch club which meets there.

She added: “As far as I know I will get two-and-a-half hours’ free parking as I am a member of the health club but it does seem odd that the hotel has decided to start charging its guests for parking.

“If I was going to shop at Westgate I’m not so sure I would want to park so far away but it’s possible some shoppers are parking at the hotel to save money.

“You could say it’s a little heavy-handed to start changing guests to park and I’m not sure it’s the best way to encourage custom.

“Our lunch club might start looking round for a new venue.”

The hotel is run by the Principal hotel chain.

Mr Szymczyk said the charges for the car park were still being finalised but they are expected to be introduced later this month.

The hotel’s front-of-house manager, Rebecca Maher, said guests would be charged £7.50 a night.

She said: “One of the reasons for the charges is that the car park was being used by drivers who were not guests.

“We also wanted to upgrade our security and cameras are being introduced.

“There will be some charging exemptions including guests who are conference visitors or those using leisure facilities.

“The new system is expected to be introduced later this month once everything has been installed.”

Mr Szymczyk said guests would be able to pay for parking using machines in the car park, or at reception.

The hotel has a pool, a gym and a spa and the city centre is about 15 minutes’ walk away.

Guests can make use of Willows Health Club and Spa, which includes a sauna, a steam room and beauty treatments.