ANPR camera enforced carpark advice?

jondread

Hi I'm after some advice regarding my local Lidl car park. Up until last week the parking was free, which I used every day to park as I work in town. They have now since put signs up and have an athena ANPR camera. Luckily I've had a week off work but I'm back tomorrow and not sure what to do.

My question is, is it worth persisting with parking there and ignoring any letters or "invoices"etc?

My boss is under the impression that they cannot enforce parking on private land at all and that they'll send me an invoice rather than an actual parking fine.

I have no other options for parking as every other car park in town is max stay 4 hours and I live 30 minute walk away.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Redx

do not park there or it could end up in court if you ignore

they have done this to stop non-patrons parking there and your actions justify why they get employed

your boss is wrong in thinking you can ignore them safely, you cannot and its likely a court case will happen for any ignored charges

yes they are invoices (parking charge notices) and yes they can take the driver to court

they can also take the keeper to court in england and wales if they follow POFA2012, a law that came in 4 years ago

so as you are a trepasser when not using the shop , not following the signs will cost you dear , so do not park there unless you are shopping there , and follow the "rules"

Coupon-mad

My boss is under the impression that they cannot enforce parking on private land at all and that they'll send me an invoice rather than an actual parking fine.

Tell your boss to read ParkingEye Ltd v Beavis at the Supreme court last year. Things have changed significantly.

Most PCNs are defendable but don't go collecting them, certainly not for 'overstaying in a retail car park' which is the exact circumstances of the Beavis case. Collecting several PCNs alerts a PPC to a worthwhile £25 cheap punt in the county court against you, due to the total money involved if they win.

We are not saying to pay these (they are defendable in most cases but a court claim is a pain in the proverbial and it takes work on your part to avoid a bad outcome) but I echo Redx's advice. Don't be the 'rogue parker' who justifies why the aggressive regime is there. And don't leave yourself open to a claim.

Tell your colleagues. If the boss insists he's ignored these before - so have we. But that was in the past.

The_Slithy_Tove

I don't want to side with the PPCs and the likes of Lidl who have a rather cynical approach to the use of PPCs, but you are a prime example of exactly why they exist. You have been taking advantage somewhat, and abusing the facilities of Lidl. Time to find somewhere else to park, and if that means paying, then maybe consider parking a bit further away, and walking the last bit.