Local Retail Park now has UKPC - Penalty Charge for overstay - Had no idea!

Le_Kirk

Letters of complaint always read better coming from the pen of the complainer as it is too easy to spot a template and have it discarded as "just another template".

bex88

I understand.. but do I just write the email as I would if generally emailing to any other company, eg, 

Hi there,

On Wednesday 15th I visited the retail park to do Christmas shopping....... Unaware of new parking enforcement there as been shopping there for years without issue..... Shocked and dismayed to receive parking charge letter from UKPC..... Can you do a thing to get this cancelled and don't feel the was any pre-warning for long-standing customers this was coming.... On a low income and what little money I have I spent within your stores Christmas shopping on that day.....


Along those sort of lines?

And to who best, Avison Young? (Retail park agent)

bex88

Dear Mark Phelps of Avison Young,

On Wednesday 15th November 2023, I visited the Wisbech retail park with the intention of spending the afternoon Christmas shopping in the stores located there. 

I have been patronising this retail park for many years without any issues, often making it a nice afternoon out by treating myself to a Costa coffee there and then having a good long browse around the shops for some hours.

Yesterday (23rd November 2023) to my absolute shock and dismay, I received a parking charge letter from UKPC in the post, charging £60 (£100 after 14 days) for an overstay at the car park. I did not even notice the cameras or any different signage when I entered, and have not been made aware at any point before then when previously visiting that a parking enforcement will be being put in place.

I think this is absolutely disgusting; many of the people who shop at this retail park like myself do not have a lot of money, shopping in pound/bargain shops and charity shops. To be then hit with a £60 fine for being a loyal customer and spending what little money I have in the stores there is totally outrageous and a real stab in the back, especially as I was completely unaware of the new 3 hours max parking time limit.

The car park itself is rarely very busy, especially on a midweek afternoon, like when I went last week. In fact, by the time I left, there was barely any customers parked. I even stopped and had a chat with one of the new staff members there for a short while as it was so quiet, she was telling me how she had only just started there and it was her first job getting her back into work after 22 years and that she was getting on well.

I feel the parking charges are ridiculously unnecessary for that car park, and If I must pay this charge then I will not be shopping at this retail park again and will take my charity shop donations elsewhere.
The stress of being timed and feeling rushed does not make for and enjoyable shopping experience. 

I hope you can in good conscience help by getting this charge cancelled and now informed for future if I am to shop there again.

Regards,

........

How about something like this?
Do I need to add a reference number from the PCN?

Le_Kirk

Looks good to me, you've hit the relevant points and threatened to hit them in their pocket.  As you have addressed a named person, you should sign off "yours sincerely". Add the reference number so that they know which one to get cancelled. 

Coupon-mad

Much better than the first draft. 

Umkomaas

Good letter. 

bex88

Thank you so much all for confirming! Email has been sent now, I will update if/when I hear anything back.

bex88

Eek, this is the reply I got:

"Sorry to hear about your problems with car parking.  I do not have anything to do with this.  I expect you have found some letting particulars online for the unit that was let to Argos with my contact details on them.  I have dealt with the scheme leasing, but have never had any involvement in running the scheme.

 

The contact details I have been given for parking are:  UKPC, Union House, 111 New Union St, Coventry CV1 2NT.

Kind regards "

I have no idea who to email now, any help appreciated.

Edit: maybe it's these: https://www.cbgarobson.com/news/wisbech-retail-park

2018 is most recent I've found but no idea. I will email and ask.

bex88

Update: Emails sent to Cancer research and B&M (Both shopped in). B&M replied saying they they can't do anything as its to do with the landlord. (which is who??) 

Wednesday is the 14th day from the date of charge - Wondering, is it worth while to try and appeal? If so, it states on the reverse of the letter "your right to pay the rate when the appeal was made will stand for a further 14 days from the date you receive a notification that your appeal has been rejected." - If reading this right, does that mean if the appeal was put in today, then if it's rejected, it would still be £60 afterwards, as it's still within the reduced rate currently?

Many thanks in advance!

porridgestation

You are correct, the Managing Agent is CGBA Robson. A letter or email to both of the contacts in this link explaining the situation and the delay in contacting them due to difficulty locating the Managing Agent:

https://www.cbgarobson.com/uploads/1/0/6/4/106407181/complaints_procedure.pdf

As a genuine shopper who parked and spent money at local businesses, your use of the car park was entirely justified. I'm sure the managing agent will not want genuine shoppers to cut short their spending at their leaseholders just because the clowns at an aggressive parking company deems them unauthorised after three hours.

UKPC should be chucked off the estate and the parking replaced with a parking barrier where you pay for what you use. A complaint to Steve Barclay (local MP) via email would also be beneficial regarding shoppers being dealt unfair parking charges for using local shops.