Received a parking fine for parking at my own gym's carpark

guts

I was issued a parking ticket for parking at my own gym’s car park on the 2nd day of the reopening of all gyms since lockdown. Normally, I would need to register my car’s number plate onto an iPad found at the gym’s reception so I can be provided with a permit for parking there. However, on that day the computers weren’t working at all due to technical difficulties so I couldn’t input my car’s number plate onto the terminal and was therefore not given a permit. I was then faced with an unfair parking ticket as a result of that. I’ve tried contacting the gym about it and they claim that they can’t do anything related to parking fines and were given strict orders not to contact the parking company. My appeal was also denied to that micky mouse company that owns that car park (which I'm not surprised with) and the parking company doesn’t have a number or email to contact them. I believe they just ruled out my appeal just because they want money. I just find it ridiculous I received such an unfair ticket where the gym was at fault in this one. I really need help on what to do as I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle where even my own gym can't help me. I was thinking of sending an appeal to POPLA hoping they approve my case. Is it worth sending an appeal to POPLA or is there a better alternative solution to my case?

MistyZ

The gym can cancel this if they own the car park, they have just chosen not to.  The parking ticket was indeed their fault.  I suspect that they anticipated a flood of complaints from members who had received PCNs due to 'technical difficulties' and were given a line to feed to members who complained.  

While this may be their first line of defence against doing the right thing, persistence on your part should break through that.  Complain again, politely but vociferously.  Insist on cancellation and let them know that you will cancel your membership if they don't.  Speak to, phone or email the manager not the frontline staff.  Complain to their CEO very promptly if necessary.  

Which parking company was this?  Appealing to POPLA is indeed the next thing to do if the company belongs to the BPA.  But landowner complaints need to be done before POPLA so don't waste any time.

You also need to read the Newbies' thread.  Your instincts about the PPCs are correct and the more you know the better. 

Redx

Which Parking company ??

Did they provide a Popla code ??

Read this https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6187722/new-posters-and-lack-of-information-about-ppc#latest

Those are the reasons why we ask these questions

bouicca21

I had a similar fine for parking in my gym’s car park.  The gym had no problem instructing the parking company to rescind it.  They did this for me and for everyone else who was caught up in the snafu.  Go back to the gym and escalate to higher management.

prowla

1. The gym is lying.

2. Appeal the ticket, following the procedure detailed in these pages (do not identify yourself as the driver).

3. Change gym.

D_P_Dance

Nine times out of ten these tickets are scams, so consider complaining to your MP., it can cause the scammer extra costs, and in some cases, cancellation. 

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 later this year,

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

GS..

This will have affected lots of customers so I would be tempted to leaflet cars parked to make a mass complaint.

Umkomaas

If the gym won't intervene (on behalf of a genuine customer) ask them for a written statement confirming that the computer system was down on the date of the parking event.  If you can't get them to write one in full, you could construct an email which requires just a simple confirmation from them. 

Whether you can access POPLA depends on which PPC you're dealing with. 

MothballsWallet

Umkomaas said:

If the gym won't intervene (on behalf of a genuine customer) ask them for a written statement confirming that the computer system was down on the date of the parking event.  If you can't get them to write one in full, you could construct an email which requires just a simple confirmation from them. 

Whether you can access POPLA depends on which PPC you're dealing with. 

Or what about a polite reminder that, if this goes to court, the gym will be required to provide the name of someone who will attend court and what dates that person will not be available?

Half_way

micky mouse company that owns the car park??? what micky mouse company is that???

you can get some help on here, but we need some information to help you with.

 You can appeal/challenge it to popla, but going by your opening post/rant it wont suceed.

 They will determine that the driver failed to enter the vehicles details correctly and that will be that parking charge notice issued correctly.- it doesn't matter that the keypad/log in system wasn't working, wasn't available  or the driver wasn't made aware if it being in an obscure location. if the driver was unable to enter the number for whatever reason the BPA/POPLA will see it as the driver should not have parked.

 Its peverse, but thats what you are dealing with

What did you say when you complained to the gym? who is the mickey mouse car park owner??

guts

MistyZ said:

The gym can cancel this if they own the car park, they have just chosen not to.  The parking ticket was indeed their fault.  I suspect that they anticipated a flood of complaints from members who had received PCNs due to 'technical difficulties' and were given a line to feed to members who complained.  

While this may be their first line of defence against doing the right thing, persistence on your part should break through that.  Complain again, politely but vociferously.  Insist on cancellation and let them know that you will cancel your membership if they don't.  Speak to, phone or email the manager not the frontline staff.  Complain to their CEO very promptly if necessary.  

Which parking company was this?  Appealing to POPLA is indeed the next thing to do if the company belongs to the BPA.  But landowner complaints need to be done before POPLA so don't waste any time.

You also need to read the Newbies' thread.  Your instincts about the PPCs are correct and the more you know the better. 

Thank you for your response, yes, members have complained because they forgot to input their number plate or misspelt their number plate onto the terminal to get a permit. Yes, I've sent an email vociferously to the manager and the admin of the gym but yet they won't respond to my email - I think they're just ignoring it. 
The parking company is civil enforcement ltd - their only way of contact is via post. The gym I go to is Gold's gym and I'm not too sure who actually owns the gym.
Yes, I wanted to have a look at the Newbies' thread to gain a better understanding and before appealing to POPLA. I have until the 16th of September for the deadline to appeal for POPLA.