POPLA code procedure - pls help

Mistra

Hello
I need some help pls. I've read many threads on here and am somewhat confused on how to proceed.
I received a PCN by post some time ago after the driver of the car visited 2 shops in a retail park.. The Reason for issue stated 'Exceeded Maximum Stay Period'. Apparently the driver exceeded the stay by about 30 mins.

The driver went back to complain to one of the two shops visited and although the retailer promised to help, they didn't. They just sent a lot of useless emails saying absolutely nothing useful. The driver does not have a receipt from this shop as they were browsing and trying to choose what to buy at that stage.. However they have a receipt from another of the shops in the retail park. Contacting this second shop by phone proved impossible and returning to this shop is not physically possible right now.

I appealed the PCN as keeper of the car using the PCC's online appeal system and the standard template I found on this forum. As per template I mentioned that I wanted to receive further communication by post and not email. However this was ignored and I was sent the POPLA code by email which states the same reason mentioned above and adds that they have "no record of a permit to authorise the additional time spent on site". The time to appeal to POPLA will soon run out and I still have not received anything by post. Should I start the POPLA appeal online? Or do I need to wait for a letter with the popla code by snailmail?

My reasons for appeal will be:
-poor signage
- I'd like to include no landholder authority but I have no idea who the landholder is or how to go about finding out. (The retailer said they cannot help with that).
- As the parking site offers free parking for the first hour or so, could it help to mention that the driver staying on an extra half hour did not impact the income of the PPC in any way as if anyone had parked there, they wouldn't have made any money from those extra 30 mins anyway?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Mistra.

KeithP

You'll wait for ever if you wait for a PoPLA code by Royal Mail.
They have simply decided to ignore your request to not use email.
This is an entirely unregulated industry.

Prepare your PoPLA appeal forthwith. Do not miss the deadline.

At the same time, why haven't you complained to the shops' head offices?
Along the lines of "although I didn't by anything on this occasion I was trying to deciede which of the £nnn widgets I would be buying. As the parking is so expensive I will shop elsewhere in future as will all my family and friends".

waamo

The cynical members of this forum will think they deliberately sent it by email in the hope you will miss it as you specifically asked them not to.

The less cynical members are probably being too kind.

Mistra

Thanks for replying KethP.
The problem is that customer services and complaints are centrally handled at this establishment. I have indeed contacted customer services by phone a few times and also sent many emails but I've been given the runaround and when I asked for a telephone number and the manager for this particular store I was told they could not give this out. I have said that if they do not help I will inform all my family, friends, colleagues and business associates about this extremely poor level of service. Nothing seemed to bother them - they're too big to care.
Any idea about how to go about finding out who owns the land?
thanks

Mistra

Waamo, so what do you think I should do?

KeithP

Mistra wrote: »

Any idea about how to go about finding out who owns the land?

Google the shopping centre name, or look at signs at the entrance, or ask customer services in the shops, or search this forum.

What is the name of the place?

waamo

Mistra wrote: »

Waamo, so what do you think I should do?

You've been given a POPLA code. It would be rude not to use it. Copy examples from here.

With regard to appeal points such as landowner authority it is their job to show they have it. It's not your job to prove they haven't. Assert they haven't and make them prove to the satisfaction of POPLA that they have.

Very often poor evidence is sent that in no way demonstrates the required authority. Don't do their job for them. Make them prove everything.