Smart Parking Northern Ireland

ErectoExplodus

Hi all, 

Newbie here, my girlfriend recently started a new job at a large retail park who use Smart Parking to manage their car parks, I believe they charge for any stay over 4 hours. The staff of the retail park don't think they should be paying for parking to go to their job at the retail park itself. She had been told by other staff members in her job that they don't pay for the car park, they get letters but just ignore them. My girlfriend followed their advice and hasn't been paying and has now received two PCN from Smart Parking. 

What would be your best advice in this situation? 

Coupon-mad

Ignore it, obviously!

Northern Ireland. The law protects her.

ErectoExplodus

Perfect! Thank you, wasn't sure on the exact rules if you just didn't bother paying at all as most cases here seem to be overstays etc. 

I take it the same will apply to any further action letters from them or a debt collection agency? 

ErectoExplodus

I had originally had a read at a story on Belfast Live this from a so called "Expert", who says don't ignore them, can't share the link unfortunately as I'm too new! 

UncleThomasCobley

ErectoExplodus said:

I take it the same will apply to any further action letters from them or a debt collection agency? 

Yes.      

fisherjim

Ignore the idiots, but surely the traders on that retail park have an agreement whereby staff are whitelisted, this needs investigating, or the PCN's will keep rolling in and that gets annoying to say the least.

patient_dream

I have posted this video many times

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CiL0u4CYg0

Contact your Consumer Council .... 

Coupon-mad

ErectoExplodus said:

I had originally had a read at a story on Belfast Live this from a so called "Expert", who says don't ignore them, can't share the link unfortunately as I'm too new! 

https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/northern-ireland-expert-explains-rules-22907576.amp

The expert is from the NI Consumer Council.  She doesn't say to pay it.  She naively says to appeal it but we are far stronger experts in this field and our clear advice is:

Ignore it (no appeal needed) BUT:

We are not for a minute suggesting anyone deliberately does not pay & display. That isn't our ethos.  Not what we do here.

If the businesses require staff to pay & display if parking on site, then do so. 

DO NOT keep racking up loads of these.  Getting ten or more is not a good idea at all because Smart could in theory try pursuing a case worth thousands, as VCS did v Ms Mackie in Scotland.

ErectoExplodus

I'll pass on the advice, appreciate the help everyone! 

ErectoExplodus

Looks like the 2 PCN's are from the end of September, a 3rd just arrived today, so all of October yet to come. 

She's going to ask her managers about who best to contact within the Complex to get them cancelled by them hopefully

Coupon-mad

But it doesn't matter if not.