Christmas car parking craziness

The Christmas Car Park That Turned Into a Waiting Game

Today we headed into the city to do some Christmas shopping, full of good intentions and festive spirit. We decided to park in John Lewis car park for a change. Normally we go for the Mall because it’s more central, but I had some John Lewis vouchers to use and I had my heart set on picking up one of their gingerbread house kits.

Getting in felt like a small win. There was only a short queue, maybe five minutes at most, and we managed to find a space pretty quickly. At that point, it felt like everything was going our way.

Shopping done, arms full, and the shops beginning to close, we made our way back to the car feeling tired but relieved. You know that feeling when you finally sit down after a busy day out and all you want is to get home? That was us.

We pulled out of the space and started down the ramp, joining a line of cars. At first, I didn’t think much of it. A bit of a queue is normal, especially at this time of year. I remember thinking it might be slow, but we would be out soon enough.

But then nothing happened.

We sat there. And waited. And waited some more.

After twenty minutes of not moving at all, my husband got out of the car to see what was going on. From the sixth floor, he could see the problem straight away. The roads outside were completely gridlocked, and cars were only just managing to inch their way out onto the street.

So we waited.

An hour later, we had only made it down to level five. By this point, my patience was wearing thin and my anxiety was creeping in. People were getting out of their cars, walking down the ramps, trying to figure out what was happening. Others were attempting awkward manoeuvres, clearly just as desperate to get moving as we were.

After an hour and twenty minutes, the queue finally started to move, slowly but at least it was something. By the time we reached level four, the car park attendants were making their way from car to car, apologising and explaining the situation.

A local Premier League match had just finished at the same time the shops were closing. The entire city seemed to be trying to leave at once.

Which, in hindsight, explains everything.

Eventually, we did get out. A lot later than planned, and a lot more frazzled than when we arrived.

Safe to say, lesson learned.

Avoid Christmas shopping during a football match at all costs.

Note to self: festive spirit does not survive two hours in a car park queue.

P.S. I would genuinely love to hear your worst car park experiences, because this one is definitely up there for me.