MET Parking Services - "Great Cambridge Retail Park" (McD's Enfield Retail Park)

elucidate

Hi all,

The driver of my vehicle overstayed in a car park when visiting McDonald's and I received an NTK for it within 8 days of the incident.

Last night I fired off an email to the McDonald's branch manager but from preliminary phone conversations (through which I was able to get proof of the driver being a customer), and other threads on this forum, I am not confident they will be able to help in terms of getting the charge cancelled. The landowner - Universities Superannuation Scheme - seems hard to get hold of and they probably won't be interested anyway.

Before I appeal using the blue-text template, please let me know if there is any bespoke advice you can give me.
The NTK (2 pages across 2 files) can be found here: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AhJd2Q4uph3xgbJAQzsG1Y8HsN7soA?e=fGWGLp
(also any advice as to when the "discounted" charge rate expires would be appreciated - the wording is ambiguous as to whether it's 14 days of issue, or 14 days of service - and, even when that is established, whether you start counting from the date itself, or the following date).

Clutching at straws:

• I notice there's no mention of POFA but I don't know if that's of any help to me.
• The letter refers to the area as Great Cambridge Retail Park (which, in exact quotes, yields exactly 8 Google results), but it's actually known as Enfield Retail Park (as is the name of the McDonald's Branch). The landowner's 2009 annual report has a picture of a Great Cambridge Retail Park, depicting a different car park managed by ParkingEye, surrounded by other shops. Again, I don't know if this is at all of help in fighting my case.

Thank you.

Fruitcake

The NTK contains the PoFA wording/warning so appears to be PoFA compliant.

If Plan A fails, then the keeper should send the appeal template in blue text from the NEWBIES, unaltered.

Save the discrepancy with the location for PoPLA.

Umkomaas

The landowner - Universities Superannuation Scheme - seems hard to get hold of and they probably won't be interested anyway.

They will have employed a Managing Agent to manage the retail park (including contracting with a PPC). So it's the MA you need to contact, if it's Savills, they can be very helpful. 

KeithP

elucidate said:

(also any advice as to when the "discounted" charge rate expires would be appreciated - the wording is ambiguous as to whether it's 14 days of issue, or 14 days of service - and, even when that is established, whether you start counting from the date itself, or the following date).

Ignore the offer of a discount. Surely you want to pay nothing?

elucidate said:

Clutching at straws:

• The letter refers to the area as Great Cambridge Retail Park (which, in exact quotes, yields exactly 8 Google results), but it's actually known as Enfield Retail Park (as is the name of the McDonald's Branch). The landowner's 2009 annual report has a picture of a Great Cambridge Retail Park, depicting a different car park managed by ParkingEye, surrounded by other shops. Again, I don't know if this is at all of help in fighting my case.

From the sign at the entrance, it appears to also be known as Great Cambridge Road Retail Park...
[click on the image for GSV]

Times are hard for the parking companies - in September 2020 one was allowed ninety minutes to eat their meal...
 [click on the image for GSV]

elucidate

KeithP said:

elucidate said:

(also any advice as to when the "discounted" charge rate expires would be appreciated - the wording is ambiguous as to whether it's 14 days of issue, or 14 days of service - and, even when that is established, whether you start counting from the date itself, or the following date).

Ignore the offer of a discount. Surely you want to pay nothing?

Yeah of course. But I want to get my appeal in during the discount period.

Times are hard for the parking companies - in September 2020 one was allowed ninety minutes to eat their meal...

 [click on the image for GSV]

Yes I do recall it used to be longer. Quite desperate clearly.

Coupon-mad

But I want to get my appeal in during the discount period.

There is no point. You won't be paying so it means nothing to you. 

elucidate

Appeal rejected: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AhJd2Q4uph3xgbJWjNsLpUF3mwrhXQ?e=XTJY9B
(Open in incognito if it prompts you to login)

The McDonald's assistant manager told me on Sunday that she will speak to MET. I've just emailed her for an update, and asked her for the contact details of the managing agent if she can't resolve the problem.

Fruitcake

PPCs have form for reducing the permitted parking time at will. If you are up for a fight, you could ask the local planning department what the permitted parking time was when planning permission for the site was granted, then make a formal complaint to the council and your MP if it has arbitrarily been reduced by the PPC.

elucidate

Thanks to everyone for your time and suggestions - the McDonald's manager did indeed manage to get the charge cancelled and I have received confirmation from MET

Now to focus on my next battle, one involving Barnet Hospital. But that's a story for another thread... 

Umkomaas

Well done. Very good Plan A outcome. 👍