Coles bans Ipswich Lapz cars from centre car park after complaints

A car club, with more than 20,000 members, has been banned from parking in a shopping centre during its regular Show and Shine event which attracts more than 800 prestige vehicles.

The future of a popular Show and Shine street rally which attracts up to 1000 cars, is in jeopardy after its members were banned from a local Coles supermarket car park.

Members of the 20,000-strong Ipswich Lapz car club, known for its showcase event through the streets of Ipswich, were banned from an underground car park at Coles in Brisbane St.

The event, which attracts more than 800 specialty and vintage cars to its quarterly non-competitive rallies, was told its members were “no longer welcome” at the underground Coles car park.

Hundreds of cars participated in last month’s Ipswich Lapz rally. Pictures: David Martin

The ban was put in place after the car club held its latest Show and Shine event, in which more than 800 cars drove a city circuit through Ipswich on July 27.

Ipswich City Council also organises a Park and Pose in the Nicholas Street Mall, where people can get a photo in front of a prestige car.

Store patrons and employees voiced frustration with the lack of parking during the night-time meeting.

Ipswich Coles where many of the prestige cars parked in the underground car park during the events. Picture: Contributed

The issue was compounded by reports of disruptive behaviour including excessive noise and burnouts, from a “handful” of participants, further straining relations with shopping centre management.

A Coles spokesman said the safety of customers and team members was a priority.

“The underground car park is intended for the convenience of our customers while they are shopping in store,” the spokesman said.

“Customers have reported difficulties finding parking during these events and we appreciate the group’s co-operation in understanding.

“We hope they can find a more suitable, safer public space in town for future events.”

Ipswich Lapz convenor David Hill, confirmed that the new management’s decision was influenced by complaints and said some of the 20,000 members were threatening a boycott on Coles, a move the club did not endorse.

Ipswich Lapz organiser David Hill said the event will continue with drivers doing laps of the CBD but without a showcase underneath Coles. Picture: Contributed

Others have proposed potential solutions, including relocating the events to the Ipswich Showgrounds or Riverlink Shopping Centre.

“There were some idiots who ruined it for everyone and I had to tell some people to get off an awning out the front of Coles during the last meeting,” Mr Hill said.

“It’s a real shame because we attract thousands of people into the CBD and it is great for the some of the local businesses.

“I make sure that all the members who park in the Coles carpark buy something from Coles – and it’s been so busy before that the manager had to put on extra staff.

“There is a three-hour time limit on the car parking and members know that and respect that.

“The local council has suggested alternative venues, such as the undercover car park at Nicholas Street Mall, for future events, which we will look into.

“This location would accommodate show cars on the top level, while providing parking facilities on the lower levels.”