No real comment on the parking issue but just to say ALWAYS check out Toolstation for prices before buying at B&Q. Nearest to SW18 is inside Wickes in Plough Lane

I'm sure B & Q will survive the loss of your custom.

Even if, at the times when you have used the car park, there are plenty of empty spaces, there are times when it has been difficult to find a place to park at B&Q when I have gone to the store. I think it is perfectly reasonable for them to ask people who are not using the store to go elsewhere. What is unreasonable is for people to assume that they have a right to park there, even when not spending money in the store. I suspect that they also have a problem with people who live in the flats using their car park, rather than pay the extortionate amount charged to park in the flats.

I don't understand why you think you should be able to park on somebody's else's property for free - I certainly wouldn't like it if someone parked on your drive when I was out and it was empty

Needless to say, B&Q is on my blacklist now.

They've been tightening up for a while now.

Not sure why but I suspect the parking firm get their money from the tickets issued and as a result they're getting tougher. You used to be allowed to park in that car park when using the gym but that stopped a while ago. I couldn't work out if it was the fault of the gym or the fault of BandQ.

I agree though, to some extent, with the blacklist - I wouldn't go as far as never using them but every time someone makes something less convient I reach for my mouse to shop online a bit more!

screwfix better

Seems fair to me, definitely doesn't put me off shopping there.

Thanks for the warning. I think they've been doing this for a while, because there is usually a guy (the same one every time I'm there, poor sod!) in a non-b&q uniform patrolling the parking area. I guess it's mainly to stop people parking there to use the gym over the road rather than the maccas. The drive-through is another option.

Well, of course, you could walk...or go everywhere by Uber...but when you have children there is such a thing as convenience. Most stores with parking acknowledge this and the "must stay on premises" order from B&Q is not typical in my experience.

Or you can just park in McDonalds...

This is an ALERT for parents re car parking at B&Q Wandsworth. Watch out! The store has started enforcing a parking rule that insists you MUST stay on the premises for the duration of your parking. In other words, if you intend taking the children for a quick break from B&Q shopping to visit nearby McDonalds (like I often do) you could face a £75 fine!!
It happened to me. The carpark was half empty, with no crowding issues, and yet the attendant warned us we must not leave B&Q, or face the fine.
I've spent thousands of pounds in their store and complained to the manager that this is a silly rule that will affect parents with children in particular.
Needless to say, B&Q is on my blacklist now. There's a Homebase across the road anyway. So they will definitely lose out from my DIY custom in future.
Other stores, like Tesco, operate a similar 2 hour park for customers - but don't insist that you can't leave their premises if you need a quick shop elsewhere.
Be warned parents: your Happy Meal might set you back a whopper of a fine.