Car locked in private car park

ceebeeby

Parked car at 09:00 this morning in private car park. Signs on gate state car park shuts at 21:00 however on returning at 16.45 the car park was locked and bolted! Signs checked again, nothing indicating it would be locked early.

Police aren't interested and can't locate key holder. Any ideas on how to retrieve car??

What's car park liability for covering taxi firm home- 20 miles on a public holiday

System

Since you mention PH then I assume that you are in Scotland?

PasturesNew

I have no knowledge whatsoever....

My guess is that as you parked in a private car park, to which you had no rights (as you didn't say you had), there's no liability for them to pay a penny.

I'm guessing that whoever owns the car park "popped into town/work" today, let themselves into the car park ... did what they have to and went home. They might assume that anybody else parking there also has a key/rights.

Maybe they'll be back in tomorrow during "normal office hours"

GwylimT

You say public holiday so I'm guessing you're in Scotland, that would mean public holiday hours will apply to the car park opening and closing times.

goonarmy

Did you pay to park?

Retrogamer

Does the private car park serve a business or houses?
Where there any signs that stated it was private parking? If not, what else did the sign say apart from opening times?

Sooler

ceebeeby wrote: »

Any ideas on how to retrieve car??

Wait until the gates are opened, then drive it out.

Guest101

It depends if a contract was formed by their offer and your use of the car park. Did u pay for it?

ceebeeby

It's a pay for car park. You pay at the garage. Garage was closed so intended to pay on return which is normal. Gates were open other cars parked in there. Nothing to indicate anything other than normal hours. Ferry it serves running a Saturday service, nothing that states anything other than 6.30 to 21.00 opening hours.

londonTiger

my guess is it was new years and nobody was out and about. So slow day. Staff wanted to leave early, there was just one car there who didn't pay for parking so decided to just lock up and leave and teach driver a lesson.

To be honest OP, if you can get away without a fine you should consider yourself lucky. Parking ticket machine broken is never an excuse to park anyway. The only pass you'll get is probably by the council but private landlords no chance.

Jamie_Carter

GwylimT wrote: »

You say public holiday so I'm guessing you're in Scotland, that would mean public holiday hours will apply to the car park opening and closing times.

They are also often referred to as public holidays in England.