Private Parking Charge- overstaying in Supermarket car park during Covid-19 lockdown/social distance

Redx

that was why I posted earlier, having seen that at the time

he should complain to the BPA and link that story, with a copy of the NTK and a copy of the rejection

Snakes_Belly

It was inevitable that this was going to happen.  The queues to enter supermarkets at certain times in the day are very long as they only let so many in at a time. Then shoppers have to queue to pay. Many vulnerable people are unable to get a delivery slot so have to go to the supermarkets. They should have made parking free on these car parks given the circumstances. 

If any of these cases go to court then a claim should be made against the parking company for unreasonable behaviour. 

D_P_Dance

IMO there is no way that a retailer would allow a PPC to take a genuine customer to court in these circumstances.

Snakes_Belly

Making a comment on Facebook can work especially if the store manager does not offer to have the ticket cancelled. 

On Marks and Spencer's Facebook page recently there was a post from a care worker (nurse) who was turned away by the manager from the NHS and key worker shopping hour even though they had a letter from their employer (hospice). The Marks and Spencer Facebook team asked for details of the store because this was against their policy. 

I would try, store manager, Facebook and CEO. 

It's a pity that even at this difficult time we have to deal with jobsworth.

PPC's will start to get more aggressive as their income stream dries up. They are like those large flies that whizz around in a circle before they drop to the ground.

 

beamerguy

Dear Sirs,
For the Personal Attention of Mr Steve Rowe

My father aged 66 shopped at your store located at xxxxxx.   To his surprise, he received a parking charge notice number xxxxx issued by Euro Car Parks ?
My father was following Government advice regarding social distancing and as with all your stores, your customers have to Queue to enter the store and once inside, movement is slow as everyone is attempting to keep the correct distance. That includes check out.

Euro Car Parks are profiteering in a crisis and clearly have no respect for your customers.   My father appealed to Euro Car Parks and it was rejected.  I refer you to this BBC article which also involved Euro Car Parks and indeed the BPA, the trade body clearly said that the parking operator will be expected to cancel charges in the current circumstances.   It seems that Euro Car Parks ignore their own trade body and it is clear that Euro Car Parks are more interested in collecting £100 than actual car park management. 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-52091664

I am sure you will find, as do I, that this is disgusting behaviour which indeed reflects on Marks & Spencer.

Therefore, as one of your customers, I request you arrange this ticket to be cancelled.  This particular store is a "stand alone" outlet so either you employed this parking company or your landlord employed them.  In either case, you have the authority to arrange cancellation.
I therefore await your confirmation of cancellation.

Yours faithfully,

Marks & Spencer Group Plc
Mr Steve Rowe	Chief Executive
Email	steve.rowe@marks-and-spencer.com

Snakes_Belly

Well done Beamer.  This won't be the last we see of this type of claim so your letter will prove useful for others in a similar situation.

Fruitcake

kh904, as well as sending the above most excellent letter from the most excellent beamerchappy, you must complain to your MP and the PM that scammers are trying to force people to go against the strict government social distancing rules.
You expect them (the government) to immediately instruct unregulated parking *scammers* (MPs own words in open parliament) to instruct said scammers to cease operations in all shops and medical facility/care home/hospital car parks, and would like an explanation why it hasn't already happened. 
Point out that the new car parking bill was passed fourteen months ago yet the mandatory code of practice has still not been implemented.

I would also add a one liner to beamer's letter that if this isn't cancelled fifthwith you should remind the CEO that other stores where scammers don't operate are available, and the whole family will transfer their allegiance to one of them.

kh904

Thanks Beamerguy.

I may edit the letter to include the address of the store

beamerguy

kh904 said:

Thanks Beamerguy.

I may edit the letter to include the address of the store

You are welcome

Umkomaas

The British Parking Association, the trade body for car park management firms, said it had a "clear expectation in these circumstances" that a penalty charge notice should be cancelled.

What a shameful comment by the BPA. It should not be that an individual penalty (sic) charge notice should be cancelled (which means hassle and aggravation for the individual in trying to get it cancelled), rather that no penalty (sic) charge notices should be issued at car parks where it's clear that lockdown requirements interfere with normal arrangements. 

After all, it's not as though you can do your supermarket shop, then go for a wander around town, or go to a restaurant for a meal, or a cafe for a coffee and chinwag with your friends - nowhere is open F-F-S. 99% of people just want to get the flock out of the place and back to the relative safety of their own homes!