MOVIE-goers catching the latest blockbusters at Kidderminster's new cinema will face major parking problems due to nearby B & Q's recently introduced fines system for drivers, the superstore's manager has said.

A new parking scheme was set up this week in the massive Green Street car park, which is opposite the site where the building that will house the new cinema is being refurbished.

Customers of B & Q are permitted a maximum stay of 90 minutes, said general manager, Andrew Cochrane.

Last month, he unsuccessfully pressed for councillors to reject the cinema plan over parking fears. He said: "I don't know how they are going to do it. If there are 40 people, where are they going to put the cars? People are not going to get a bus or ride on their bikes.

"I don't think they have looked into the convenience of it. If it is not convenient, then are people still going to go to Merry Hill or Worcester?

"People don't want to walk in the middle of the night back home because it is dangerous, dark and cold."

He said visitors' number plates would be recorded by a car park warden who would then routinely check all vehicles in the car park to see how long they had stayed.

If the car had been there for more than 90 minutes then the owner would be fined £50.

The Warehouse Cinema is scheduled to open on Friday, March 25. It was approved by members of Wyre Forest District Council last month.

Its developer, Simon Swaffield, hit back and said: "We have never presumed to trespass on B & Q's property. We have not relied on it for a moment."

He said car parks opposite Kidderminster Fire Station in Castle Road, at Kidderminster Library and the Weaver's Wharf shopping development were suitable for film-goers.

He added it was up to visitors to decide if they wanted to park at B & Q when it was shut.

"Hopefully B & Q wouldn't mind because it is not hampering their customers," he said.

The superstore is open from 7am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

Mr Cochrane said the car park was already "abused", particularly at weekends, and said: "I am protecting my business and my genuine customers."