At the POPLA appeal stage but have a few questions first.

noreeztocomplain

Hi guys; back here after a long hiatus. Amazing to see some of the same people contributing from my last foray here seven odd years ago.

I recently received an NTK from Euro Car Parks/ECP saying that my car overstayed in a free (for three hours) retail park car park by about 25 minutes.

My first avenue was to complain to a couple of the retailers onsite but neither seemed to be able to help me over the phone. I'm struggling to find details for the landowner of the retail park itself. Because of this, I sent the template appeal which was rejected and I'm now at the POPLA stage with ~10 days to send off my appeal.

I'm loathe to add any more information as my username here is actually the same as my email address, which the PPC have on file seeing as I have appealed online to them already. Should I make a new account to obfuscate things? If not then I'll provide some more information about the location and factors relating to the incident.

Thanks.

EDIT: username changed! Thanks for the help. Will add more details in a reply.

KeithP

It's going to be difficult without further information.
Why not get your username here changed to something completely anonymous?

To help with that, have a read of this item from the Forum's FAQs:

Can I change my username?

In most circumstances, we don't allow this.

The only reason we will change your username is if it puts your privacy at risk e.g. you've inadvertently registered using your name, email address or something which gives away your identity within your username.

If you fall into this category, email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com your current username, the email address you registered with and three alternative usernames in order of preference.

Fruitcake

As long as you don't post any personal info or reveal the driver's identity, there shouldn't be a problem with giving us more information.
Perhaps you should delete the bit about your email address though.

You can change your username if you wish.

Post your draft PoPLA appeal here and tell us the location of the alleged event as it may have cropped up here before.

Was the NTK PoFA compliant?

Use all the appeal points available to you from the third post of the NEWBIES then post your draft here for checking.
You will need photos of the site and signage to assist you.

noreeztocomplain

Alright. New username, new me! Thanks for your help.

The NTK regards a 25 minute overstay in Goodmayes retail park. The car park is free for three hours.

First port of call was to complain to a store manager. I spoke to the manager of Nando's over the phone who said he couldn't do anything. The Costa branch (where the majority of the time was spent) doesn't have a dedicated number and seemed like a generic helpline. As for the retail park itself, I'm struggling to find who actually owns the land or operates the park. In their rejection of my appeal, ECP have attached a picture of one of the signs dotted around that says "on behalf of Savills" in the bottom corner but a search for "Savills Goodmayes retail park" offers up no helpful results.

It seems like complaining is always the best first route but I fear I've reached dead ends. Any advice on that front?

Second to this, the signs that are attached have the £100/£60 penalties listed fairly clearly in the middle of the sign compared to other ones I've seen in here. Recent POPLA results from the stickied thread mostly point towards inadequate signage as being the major factor in appeals being won, so I'm wondering how I should play this. These are the signs dotted around the car park, not the ones at the entrance.

I see a lot of posts here about grace periods being mentioned in POPLA appeals but I feel 25 minutes may be pushing it... what do you think?

Thanks for your time.

Umkomaas

says "on behalf of Savills"

Savills are definitely the agent (acting on behalf of the landowner) to contact. With a polite request they have been noticeably helpful in the past. 

KeithP

noreeztocomplain said:

First port of call was to complain to a store manager. I spoke to the manager of Nando's over the phone who said he couldn't do anything. The Costa branch (where the majority of the time was spent) doesn't have a dedicated number and seemed like a generic helpline. As for the retail park itself, I'm struggling to find who actually owns the land or operates the park. In their rejection of my appeal, ECP have attached a picture of one of the signs dotted around that says "on behalf of Savills" in the bottom corner but a search for "Savills Goodmayes retail park" offers up no helpful results.

It seems like complaining is always the best first route but I fear I've reached dead ends. Any advice on that front?

I really don't understand why you can't find contact details for the site management.

Yes, you have been given good guidance - the site is managed by Savills and that is clearly stated at the entrance to the site.

This image from GoogleStreetView confirms that...
[this image is a link to GSV - click on it]

I can't quite read the phone number but if you are local that is easily resolved.

noreeztocomplain

@KeithP Thanks; great shout looking on street view. I've typed in Savills with the legible first part of that number and got the full thing. Nice one!