Shoppers at a designer outlet who are using free parking spaces from across the road are being issued £100 fines by an official who allegedly hides in a bush.

Drivers who have been parking at Gloucester's Peel Centre retail park are seemingly being fined for just walking a few metres across the road to visit the Quays designer outlet shopping village.

People have reportedly complained to local representatives that they are being hit with 'indiscriminate fines' by 'a parking officer who hides behind a bush'.

The issue has also caused confusion as both shopping centres share the same owner, Peel L&P.

Some shoppers have said that recent changes have been brought in preventing people from parking in the Peel Centre, where they can stay for up to two hours for free, to visit the Quays, where they would have to pay.

Drivers who have been parking at Gloucester's Peel Centre retail park (pictured) are seemingly being fined for just walking a few metres across the road to visit the Quays designer outlet shopping village

One frustrated shopper told Gloucester Live: 'The Peel Centre is on the opposite side of the road to the outlet but the siting of a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights and the nature of retail, means that people will visit both sites in one trip.

'This is obviously financially beneficial for all the retailers and reduces pollution which would be caused if people were to move their cars between car parks.

'A recent, and unpublicised, change to the parking regulations at the Peel Centre states that shoppers must not leave the site i.e cross at the purposely installed pedestrian crossing to visit the Quays outlet.

'Fines have been issued to customers on this basis. From an ethical viewpoint - if the same company owns both sites, surely the company is benefitting from both the footfall and its resultant fines?

'Also - photographic evidence used to "prove" these infringements uses photos of vehicles only, not shoppers crossing roads. Surely the financial exploitation of consumers should not form part of your business strategy?'

Another shopper said that the new rules will only drive people away from the outlet, meaning that 'shopping is going to die in the city'.

'It's just pure greed. That's all it boils down to,' they added.

Gloucestershire County Councillor Pam Tracey, who represents the area, has had a number of complaints about the issue, which she said is 'diabolical'.

She said: 'Apparently this guy stands behind a bush and sees people going over to the Quays.

'It's not as if people abuse that car park there. But to pounce on them when they cross the road is diabolical. It's not fair. The print is so small.'

Shoppers have said that recent changes have been brought in preventing people from parking in the Peel Centre, where they can stay for up to two hours for free, to visit the Quays, where they would have to pay

Adam Jolley, Associate Director for Retail Parks at Peel L&P said: 'Peel L&P retains parking control companies to manage on-site parking, and they would hold responsibility for addressing any queries or complaints made about their service.

'Parking control became necessary at this location to ensure that genuine customers of the retail park are able to locate convenient spaces easily when visiting the retail park. For those customers who require access to a toilet, there are available facilities on site in Burger King, Buzz Bingo and Next.

'The Peel Centre is one of very few free car parks in the city centre, all of which are "customer only".

'The decision to restrict parking has been well received locally across social media and ahead of the new regime being implemented, Ocean Parking carried out weeks of manned patrols to raise awareness.

'We do appreciate that parking control can be unpopular with those who receive a parking charge notice (PCN), and it is therefore important for motorists to have access to a clear appeals process including a review by an independent appeals service if a motorist disputes the validity of a PCN.

'If the recipient of the PCN believes that the parking charge notice was issued outside of the terms displayed on the site signage, they are able to follow the relevant appeals process, including asking the independent body (Popla) to review the facts and come to a decision.'