READERS have reacted after The Mail reported that plans to create an overflow car park outside Marks & Spencer have been given the go-ahead.

South Lakeland District Council has given the green light to expand M&S’s car park at Beehive Business Park in Ulverston.

The plans, put forward by Mr Scott of Rawdon Land Projects Ltd, will see 37 extra parking spaces at the food hall, which has proved hugely popular since opening to the public last year.

The spaces will be created in an area adjacent to the Aldi store car park, which sits opposite the M&S site.

The M&S Food store currently has 51 parking spaces in front of the store entrance, including six disabled car parking spaces.

A spokesman for Beehive developer Rawdon Property Group previously said extra car park spaces will ‘ensure M&S has the capacity’ to serve customers.

One reader, Noah Manson, said: “Why on earth did M&S decide that 11 per cent of their current parking spaces, usually oversized too, should be for disabled folk?

“That’s too many. I hope they don’t waste any more in the overflow parking area.”

Another reader said the shop is too small and added: “The pedestrian queue was so long this Saturday that I chose not to stand in the hailstorm to collect my parcel ordered online.

“It went all around the front of the store.

“It is impossible to socially distance if you do manage to get into the store.

“Aisles too narrow and people who don’t care about distancing.

“Sadly, the building is inadequate for the number of customers who want to use it. How about opening one in Barrow?”

Helen Johnston commented: “You cannot get near the shelves for staff packing, there is just no room.The parking is also a problem although it’s better than nothing I suppose."

Jo Day said: “No point in expanding the car park because the shop is full of people when the current car park is full.”

Another reader said: “They need to do something with the store as well. It’s way too small.”