Bulli butcher threatens to charge non-customers $50 for parking in private car spots

Julie Scalco, owner of Bulli Meat and Seafood, put a sign out the front of the car park warning that non-customers will be parked in and will need to spend $50 at the shop before being let out.

Mrs Scalco said the sign was a gimmick and she would never actually make anyone pay $50, however, was prompted to take action after seeing so many drivers illegally park on her premise.

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"I wrote the sign in frustration," she said. "Drivers are not reading the many signs we have at the entrance to the car park.

"I have had enough. It is disgusting behaviour."

During the interview with the Mercury, Mrs Scalco asked a driver who was about to park whether they were a customer and the response, "no, sorry".

She said the makeshift sign had worked as a deterrent with many drivers turning around and leaving after reading it on Wednesday.

Mrs Scalco said the sign was a "joke" but if non-customers continued to park there she would write on the sign that the money would be donated to charity.

"I would love to donate the money to charity," she said. "I would never make people pay $50 and keep it for the business.

"The business is very busy and has not had to close during COVID-19."

Mrs Scalco said drivers often parked in her car park before going to the gym, getting a coffee, visiting the doctor, going to other stores or getting their nails or hair done.

"It has been happening for so many years," she said.

"I have had to help carry meat to pregnant ladies' cars because they have had to park so far away.

"If it rains, why should my customers have to get wet?

"The car park can be full and we can only have a few customers in the shop.

"The car park especially fills up on Friday and Saturday mornings, which is our busiest time of the week."

Mrs Scalco, who recently sold the building and car park to a new owner, said she had previously wanted to put a boom gate in so only customers could park in private car park, however that had been too expensive.

"The new owner said he will look into installing a boom gate," she said. "I usually pay someone to stand outside during busy times, such as Christmas and Easter, to ensure only customers park in the car spots."

"We love our customers, we love our community.

"We donate, sponsor and don't want any hostility but it's hard when people just do not get it."

The sign received a mixed response when a photo of it was posted on social media on Wednesday.

"How aggressive they are about this, turns me off shopping there a bit," Todd Mo Ran said.

Daniele Woods said " Wow, can someone do that?"

However, the majority of people who commented supported the action.

"The owners of this shop own the property, including the car park - the parking is for customers only! Pretty simple really," Carlie Homer said.

"To be fair, the signs have been there a long time, it's their car park and it must be pretty annoying if your own customers can't park in your own businesses car park," Kim Downie said.

"It's their car park, they pay for those spaces. If someone parked in your driveway all day, I bet it would be a different story," Sheree Anne said.

Kristy Ann said "I originally thought they were being over the top the top regarding all the signs, but then the other week I went to buy something from there and lo and behold the parking was full and I wasn't able to get a park. Once I was in there no customers to be seen. I completely understand why they need to do this."

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