DISABLED drivers have slammed Eden's new carpark as they can no longer use it for free - and say they will be forced to park further away or avoid the centre altogether.
Before the new complex opened the carpark was owned by the district council, which let blue disabled badge holders park for free.
It is now privately owned by Eden, which is honouring the badges within the multi-storey, but holders have to pay for the space.
Some free disabled spaces are available at the back of the centre in Desborough Road, but are for Shopmobility members only.
Marjorie Board, 78, got caught out in the carpark with her disabled husband on Friday, and Bernadette Bowles, 59, are angry as they say there was no warning of the change.
If they use the Eden carpark, they say they will have to pay more than others because it takes them longer to shop, or park further away in a free space.
Bernadette, from Great Kingshill, suffers from arthritis. The retired charity worker and mother-of-two visited Eden on Thursday.
She said: "It was very nice but being charged £2.50 for the privilege was relatively unpleasant.
"I only bought one small thing. I'm quite sure that somebody that could go from shop to shop and not have to sit down could have done it for a lot cheaper.
"I think it's discriminatory."
Marjorie, a great grandmother-of-three, from Glory Close, Wooburn Green, added: "It's a lovely place, don't get me wrong, but I think it's bad they're going to penalise the disabled from going to the carpark.
"My husband said he wouldn't shop there anymore."
Daniel Tomkinson, Eden centre manager, said: "It is standard practice for all spaces in privately owned car parks to carry the same charge.
"However, we have ensured that there is plenty of fully accessible parking for disabled with all facilities within easy reach."
He added the multi-storey had dedicated spaces for blue badge visitors and it met all criteria under the Disability Discrimination Act.
