G24 Parking fine Sports Direct during lockdown

wbridge70

Hello guys, 
This is my first post, I also have received a PCN x 3 for entering the car park on Sports Direct. I am a member of the gym at this site and I received these tickets from G24. Each time 1 was there was just over 10 mins but less than 20 mins. Yes the Gym was closed, however for my defense I went to the gym to see if any information was on the window regarding members information. For example! Direct Debits, etc. Each time i visited the site I parked at the back entrance. As the other poor soul as already stated there is no signage stating entrance. I will attach all signage, which bytheway it does not state that there is no parking allowed whilst closed. I am a taxi driver and I work nights when the store is closed and I often wait in this car park for my next fare. I have done this for 2 years and not received 1 PCN. I also used this car park (when working) as a short cut and again have never been issued with a PCN. If anyone can give me any pointers for my appeal I would appreciate it .  It seems to me they have tightened the screw due to the lockdown,

MothballsWallet

Have you read through the NEWBIES thread at the top of this board first? I doubt you'll be appealing to the IPC/IAS because that's a kangaroo court, but you need to start with that thread - if G24 go as far as a court claim, you need to be able to show that you tried the PPC appeal stage first.

D_P_Dance

That signs seem over verbose, read this

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5972164/parking-eye-signs-oxford-road-reading

Nine times out of ten these tickets are scams, so consider complaining to your MP, it can cause the scammer extra costs and work, and has been known to get the charge cancelled.

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, when life gets back to normal, it will become impossible for those scammers who are left to continue their vile trade, 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.

MothballsWallet

Looking at the OP's sign pics again, I agree that it looks like more verbiage than the man on the Clapham Omnibus could be fairly required to read, digest and retain.

wbridge70

Thanks for your replies, I have appealed all 3 tickets and all have been rejected. Here is one of the replies.
Thank you for your email.

The terms and conditions of the car park are displayed in prominent locations throughout the car park.  Any vehicle found in contravention of these terms and conditions is subject to a Contractual Parking Charge Notice.  Vehicles entering and exiting the car park are monitored and details of their registration number and time of entry/exit are recorded.  Your vehicle was logged entering the car park on the 01 Apr 2020 at 12:36 and exiting 01 Apr 2020 at 12:52.  Photographic evidence of the breach of contractual term is provided on your Contractual Parking Charge Notice.

Parking is not permitted outside of store opening hours.

As your appeal has been rejected, any further correspondence may not receive a  response, the options below are still open to you.

You now have one of the following options available to you:

1. Pay the outstanding Parking Charge. Payment of your Contractual Parking Charge Notice can be made via the payment line: 0333 733 3000 or by sending a cheque or postal order to G24 Limited, PO Box 3320, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, SL9 8WT.

2. If you believe this decision is incorrect, you are entitled to appeal to The Independent Appeals Service, The Independent Appeals Service provides an Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme for disputes of this type. As you have complied with our internal appeals procedure you may use, and we will engage with, the The Independent Appeals Service Standard Appeals Service providing you lodge an appeal to them within 21 days of your first rejection.

3. If you choose to do nothing, we will seek to recover the monies owed to us via our debt recovery procedures and may proceed with Court action against you.

Customer Services
G24 Ltd
Any help with my defence if I have one would be appreciated. 

nosferatu1001

Rejection was completely expected, and their rejections are templates that dont usually add a lot
Did you reveal the drivers identity when you appealed? Yes or No
If NO then you need to edit your posts so the drivers identiy is NEVER talked about. EVER. THE DRIVER parked.... THE DRIVER did not see signs.. etc
Youve already been told you have a defence - those signs are appalling. 
Have you read the Feb 2020 template defence?

KeithP

Those signs are clearly forbidding signs.

A sign that says:  

and another that says:


offer nothing to people not visiting the gym.


Edited to add: I see you are a gym member, but as the gym was closed, perhaps some use can be made of the signs' forbidding nature. Not sure how though - I'll leave that to others.

wbridge70

Thanks for your comments, Yes I did say I was the driver as the car is a rented taxi so I have no option to admit that. Each time I went to that car park I had a legitimate reason. When the lockdown first started I went to see what was happening at the gym for member services, as there was nothing on the website about closure and membership payments etc. So everytime I passed it I nipped in to see if there was anymore information.  

Again thanks for your help.

nosferatu1001

Of course you had a chance to not reveal the drivers identity. In future, youre the keeper. nothing more. 

Fruitcake

If you rent the taxi then you should have appealed as hirer/lessee who is the day to day keeper. It is unheard of for a parking company to make a successful case against a hirer/lessee because they never supply the correct documents and thus fail the strict requirements of the PoFA 2012, thus meaning the keeper cannot be held liable.

It's too late now, but if you get another one, appeal using the edna basher hirer/lessee templates from the NEWBIES. Never reveal the driver's identity.

wbridge70

On my last appeal to G24 I did say I was the hirer, but I think that is irrelevant now. Am I correct in assuming on the G24 signage nowhere does it state that during the time the gym/store is closed your parking entitlement is 0 mins. The sign itself is misleading and I think that should be the main basis of my defence. I also have sent 3 messages to G24(without reply) asking for a POPLA number for the 3 fines I recieved.  G24 are members of the BPA but have asked me to appeal with the IAS . I have read bad things about the IAS , so would rather appeal using POPLA.