Hi there,
I would appreciate some advice on this case. I've had a look through the internet and on this forum and appreciate this appears to be a particularly prominent car park where MET Parking Services are issuing people with tickets for basically nothing and then attempting to intimidate them into paying through veiled threats of legal action and debt recovery via different letterhead letters. I note that numerous of these incidents have been highlighted in the mainstream media including newspaper and online articles as well as TV shows, (Jo Lucett), unfortunately discovered all these post PCN.
From what I read in the online content there seemed little point in the appeal process so have taken the stance of completely ignoring all correspondence so far up to now without replying, (PCN + 9 letters). However, have just received a "Letter of Claim", which I believe requires a response?
PCN was apparently issued on 30/12/24 for parking incident on 22/12/24. Didn't receive PCN until 08/01/25 (after the 14 days), but not sure that can be proved. On 22/12/24 the driver entered the car park at 23:53:10 and parked outside Starbucks, Southgate Park with the intention of using the store to make a purchase for food and drink and use the facilities. However, once parked it was found that Starbucks was actually closed, which was not initially clear due to driving and time of night /weather. On checking the signage it indicated that there was free 1 hour parking for customers.
As Starbucks was closed and the McDonalds immediately next to it in the same site was open the driver walked the very short distance to McDonalds where a purchase was made as a customer and the facilities were used. At 00:49:01, 55 minutes later the driver drove out of the car park within the 1 hour limit. A PCN was later received addressed to the registered keeper which indicated the vehicle had remained on the site on the date for "55 minutes, being longer than the period of parking that had been paid for or without authorisation" and apparently "in breach of the t&c's displayed on signs in prominent places".
I have since read articles online where it appears people have had the exact same situation and where MET Parking Services claim the car parks for Starbucks and McDonalds are separate businesses / car parks and marked as such, (which clearly is not true). It was cold, wet and dark at the time of the visit and the signage was vague and poorly lit but indicated in large writing there was free parking for 1 hour for customers. There was no indication that Starbucks and McDonalds would be treated separately as they were in the same car / retail park and there was no clear indication in the car park of any meaningful separation between either establishment
I have also seen other articles suggesting when the store is open there is a screen inside Starbucks to enter vehicle registration details when using the store, but even this isn't clear as a requirement and people have received tickets when parking in the car parkand using Starbucks. Obviously as it was closed there was no option to enter vehicle details or ask anyone permission to park there nor was there a facility to enter vehicle details in Mcdonalds. It certainly was not clear that in making a purchase in McDonalds you would not be classed as customer and the suggestion would be you were in a separate car park, (especially when there is one shared entrance / exit).
I enclose a copy of the PCN and latest letter of claim as well as some pictures and would appreciate advice how best to proceed.
Thanks
https://i.postimg.cc/6ppWX49r/MET_PCN_(edit).pnghttps://i.postimg.cc/9FnmcFrG/PCN_Letter_of_Claim_(edit).pnghttps://i.postimg.cc/26jZWSmQ/Venue.jpghttps://i.postimg.cc/RhkhgSrn/Signage.jpghttps://i.postimg.cc/nrDcjysK/Signage-2.jpghttps://i.postimg.cc/KY07cH3V/Map.jpg
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