Premier Inn /Brewers Fayre

Eddyavnjelly

Just after some advice if possible. I recently went to a Premier Inn Hotel to use the connected Brewers Fayre Pub/Restaurant, whereby the parking notices stated that for paying customers of the restaurant (which we were) the first 3 hours are free. After eating, etc, I returned to the car park 30 minutes over the ‘ 3 hours free’ assuming that I would be able to pay any extra money owed at the machine. But after scanning the ticket issued by the restaurant, I was informed on the machine screen that I had overstayed the 3 hours free, and would receive a fine for £85 in the post to my home address. This is now 28 days ago, where do I stand? is it correct that any such fine should have been issued within 14 days? I would appreciate any help/advice that you are able to offer on this situation

Le_Kirk

It's not a fine it's a speculative invoice! First port of call is to complain like mad (but politely) to the head office of Premier or Brewer's Fayre, explaining why neither you, your family nor any of your wide circle of friends can no longer afford to eat at or stay in their establishments if every visit is accompanied by a surcharge. If they are limiting diners to a 3-hour meal time, they need to be a bit sharp with their service and not make diners wait!

At the same time you should read the NEWBIE sticky on page one of the forum just under where you clicked on the New Thread button. Post # 1 will take you through the options and process.

The_Deep

Write this up on the company website, TripAdvisor, Facebook, Trivao, booking.com, hotels.com, local papers, et al. Also, get MP on board as nine times out of ten of these tickets are scams.

Parliament is well aware of the MO of these private parking companies, many of whom are former clampers, and on 15th March 2019 a Bill was enacted to curb the excesses of these shysters. Codes of Practice are being drawn up, an independent appeals service will be set up, and access to the DVLA's date base more rigorously policed, persistent offenders denied access to the DVLA database and unable to operate.

Hopefully life will become impossible for the worst of these scammers, but until this is done you should still complain to your MP, citing the new legislation.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2019/8/contents/enacted

Just as the clampers were finally closed down, so hopefully will many of these Private Parking Companies

MistyZ

Le_Kirk nails exactly the kind of outrage you need to use when complaining to Premier Inn.

Car parking restrictions are there to deter non-customers, not to deter genuine customers from taking their time with the dessert or indeed from returning! Lots of people get their PCNs cancelled via the landowner complaint route, but not all of them have such a clear-cut basis for a complaint / insistence on cancellation as you do! Tell them how much money was spent that evening, tell them how much you enjoyed yourselves (I'm assuming you did!), tell them you are absolutely disgusted at receiving a parking charge notice.

Well thought-out complaint required ASAP ... polite but really firm and clear.

The_Slithy_Tove

Are you saying you haven't yet received anything? Are you the registered keeper of the car, or is it a company/lease/hire car or does someone else own it?

If you're not the registered keeper, then the process of sending notices out could well be in progress. Until you get something in your hand, there's nothing to actually complain about.

MistyZ

The_Slithy_Tove wrote: »

Until you get something in your hand, there's nothing to actually complain about.

Very true! But just as well to have a plan ready in case 'something' arrives.

Egbert_Nobacon

If a PCN does arrive a polite email to the CEO Mrs Alison Brittain may get it cancelled.

She has previously shown willingness to help and appears to value her customers.

Alison.Brittain@whitbread.com