On the 7th Jan I received this Parking charge letter. I am the registered keeper of the car referenced in the letter.
I've had to redact it, but I wanted to note that the picture of the number plate on entry is very dark and almost impossible to read.
Front:
https://ibb.co/Z6rSQjG0Back:
https://ibb.co/hJqmwMFJI may be being daft, but can someone point me to the correct process to follow?
I do not have pictures of the signage, but I can get that tomorrow. The area hosts a parade of shops (link to google maps below, however the parking signs have changed from what is there). The area has a boots, tesco and other shops. It allows cars 30mins free but you can pay if you wish to stay longer.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xSqSHLNVeyuArUbeAThanks in advance
Some photos of the current signage would certainly be useful, as GSV is rather out of date at this site.
The fact that the number plate is not particularly visible is only a strong point if it was not your vehicle there at the site. If it was, then that point is mostly a non-starter.
The appeal process seems well defined on the rear of the notice you have posted.
So on what basis are you proposing to appeal?
If the driver parked then the driver accepted the terms of a contract defined by the sign in the car park. If they clearly said free parking was only for up to 30 minutes but the driver parked for longer than this, then according to the contract the driver is liable to pay the requested amount.
If you do not identify the driver, then Retail Park Ltd. can transfer the liability to the registered keeper if they comply with the legislation. Their notice is within the time limits defined for this, for example. See DWMB2’s links above for the legislation and for the code of practice to which they agree to adhere.
If the driver parked then the driver accepted the terms of a contract defined by the sign in the car park.
Provided those terms are capable of creating a contract and suitably prominent to ensure that said terms are adequately conveyed to the driver, of course, hence why seeing the current signage would be useful.
Thanks very much for coming back to me. I will get pictures of the signage tonight and post a link shortly.
I can't seem to see the links posted to the legislation and code of practice. Can you post them again please?
I thought that if the licence is not visible then they can't evidence that the car came in at that time. As such they can't prove the vehicle stayed more than 30mins.
Is it worth appealing to the shops in the promenade (eg Tescos, boots) or is that usually pointless?
See the links above in DWMB2’s posts.
I thought that if the licence is not visible then they can't evidence that the car came in at that time. As such they can't prove the vehicle stayed more than 30mins.
Is it worth appealing to the shops in the promenade (eg Tescos, boots) or is that usually pointless?
The images were clear enough for the ANPR software to correctly read the plate.
You can try one of the retailers but in this situation it's whoever actually manages the site that you'd really need to speak to (although Tesco would be my first point of call as the biggest retailer there but Retail Park are not the company they normally use suggesting it's the managing agent who contracted the PPC). What justification would you give for requesting they cancel the PCN? Usually people exceed a maximum stay as they are making a big purchase and can evidence that. In this case you would have been expected to pay if you exceeded the 30 mins free so I can't see that being accepted.
Thanks for the responses guys. Its weird I can't see the links DWMB2s post on my phone - but I can on the PC.
I've reached out to Tescos but they couldn't help.
I've put this letter together. Any feedback on how it can be improved would be really helpful. Also, is there a date I should be aiming to send it? I know years ago the guideline was to send it as close to the 28day window as possible, is this still the case?
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to dispute your parking charge as the registered keeper of the vehicle. I am not confirming who was driving, and no such assumption should be made.
Since your Parking Charge Notice is a vague template, I require a full explanation of the allegation and your evidence. Please provide clear, legible photographs of: (a) the relevant signage as it appeared on the date in question, and (b) the vehicle showing the registration plate clearly.
The Parking Charge does not evidence that the car was parked but rather that the vehicle entered and exited at certain times. To allege a parking overstay there should be evidence that the car was parked continuously during this period.
The picture shown of a vehicle entering the site is extremely blurry and the registration plate cannot be verified beyond reasonable doubt.
The vehicle in question is often used to make multiple visits to that precinct. The letter contends that the vehicle was on site for over 30 minutes, but provides no evidence that these are not entrance and exit images from two separate visits within the permitted time. Without evidence showing continuous presence, these could reasonably be two distinct trips.
The Notice to Keeper was not received until 10th January, which is outside the 14-day window specified in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.
Your allegation involves an alleged overstay of minutes. The British Parking Association Code of Practice requires a 10-minute grace period. Your evidence must demonstrate this was provided and that any overstay exceeded it.
Given that these points have not been satisfied, I will not be held accountable or liable for any charges you send to me.
Kind Regards, Gravers
You originally stated the NtK was delivered on 7 January, but in any case it can be deemed to be delivered 2 working days after its date, 2 January I think. As I previously said, this is within the 14 day window.
Apologies you're right - i got my dates mixed up
not had much traction on my previous comment. If anyone has advice on what i can do to improve the letter it would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Ok
Paragraph one, fine, but not in anyway relevant if they intend to use POFA to hold the keeper liable.
Paragraph 2
You're suggesting their standard letter is rubbish, they won't agree. They've also already decided the photos are good enough to send the PCN.
Paragraph three
Thats how all ANPR companies operate, this argument won't win any appeals.
Paragraph 4
The burden of proof will lie with you that the vehicle left and re-entered within the alleged parking period. Their argument would be they don't have evidence of the vehicle leaving and returning which if true would mean they can't prove a negative.
Paragraph 5
Date of incident was 22/12/25, date of notice was the 30/12/25, they are normally deemed delivered 2 days after the date of the notice which even taking into account the bank Holiday is within the 14 days, they actual date of delivery isn't important.
Paragraph 6
Grace periods are not published or disclosed. However in this case free parking was 30 minutes, grace would be a minimum of 10 minutes making 40 minutes, car was in the car park for 53 minutes.
So in summary it's a nicely worded appeal with no points that are likely to get them to grant the appeal. Some of those arguments may have merit if it ever got to court, the quality of the images for example (POPLA might agree that point as well).
So submit it, expect a rejection and POPLA code, try again at POPLA focusing on image quality, probably lose, wait for the debt collectors letters and possible LoC and expect it to go away before it gets to court. Just don't get you hopes up on an initial appeal.
Despite what is often said on here, many appeals do get granted (depends a lot on which PPC), but those appeals have genuine grounds such as frustration of contract, missing signage, minor keying error, genuine double dip, POFA timescales not complied with etc. Just not wanting to pay a PCN isn't enough. The basis on which PPCS operate is legitimate even if the behaviour of some is not.
Thank you very very much for the thoughtful response ixxy. The fact that you wrote a response that touched on every point in detail is incredibly kind.
Going through all those steps sounds like a lot of faff, especially when it might come to nothing I think I might just pay the ticket. Its really annoying as that tescos was used and a good amount was spent. The driver feels stupid for not just getting a parking permit.
Nonetheless, thanks for your help
Have you attempted to contact the store and/or the owner of the land to see if they will intervene? It costs nothing to try.