Metrocentre PCN staff member parked in public car park

user10215

Hello, I would very grateful for any advice on a PCN I received from UKPC for parking in the public car park at the Metrocentre, Gateshead: "Staff member parked in no staff parking area". I do not work for nor do I have any affiliation with the Metrocentre - I simply arrived early before the shops opened. I am not sure how to best defend myself in this situation.

I immediately submitted an online appeal to UKPC's appeals site explaining the above but not giving any evidence as such. I have yet to hear back from them (it has only been 14 days since the fine was issued) but I am now wondering whether I should have included specific evidence that I am not a member of staff. Given that the fine letter simply includes a picture of my car in their car park I am a bit lost as to how they determined that I was staff. I have often arrived early and parked in the same area so it is all a bit confusing. Should I send further evidence such as my details of my current employer or just wait to see whether they accept my initial appeal?
Many thanks!

Gr1pr

Its not a fine, its a PCN invoice from a private parking company, UKPC

Personally I would suggest plan A in the newbies sticky thread in announcements, complaining about the PCN directly to the Metro centre 

Then wait for the appeal outcome, seeing as you appealed before coming here 

Half_way

This is not a fine, as above.

A few questions that will help to give advice on how to proceed:

Have you or someone else recently purchased the vehicle - and if so is it a used car ( ie had  previous owners)?

 its possible that if its a used car the vehicle registration number ( number plate) may be on a list of staff vehicles so the un regulated parking company (UKPC)  could have a list of "staff" vehicles

What exactly did you put in the "appeal" ?

user10215

Thank you for your reply Gr1pr - I have already spoken Metro centre customer services and they weren't able to help at all unfortunately, except to recommend taking with issue up with UKPC. So I will await the outcome of the appeal.

I wish I had visited this site before sending anything - I will read up on what I should do if my appeal is unsuccessful!

user10215

Hello Half_way,

"Have you or someone else recently purchased the vehicle - and if so is it a used car ( ie had  previous owners)?

 its possible that if its a used car the vehicle registration number ( number plate) may be on a list of staff vehicles so the un regulated parking company (UKPC)  could have a list of "staff" vehicles"

Yes I was wondering about this too. However, I have been the sole registered owner of my car since 2017 so if the previous owner was staff their records are very outdated. I did not save my online appeal text but I essentially stated that I was not a member of staff, that I arrived early before the shops were open and requested that they update their records. Annoying that the email confirmation of appeal does not include my text but stupid of me for not saving it!

Coupon-mad

This will be as easy at POPLA stage as those where people are accused of leaving the site.   There is simply no evidence and this is not true:

"Staff member parked in no staff parking area".

Don't use any template at POPLA stage.

Just a few lines in your own words, citing that accusation and stating it isn't true, and UKPC must prove you are a staff member.  You could add what you do for a living, if you want to bolster your proof that you can truthfully deny the allegation.

user10215

I am posting the outcome of this case just in case this is helpful for others.

My appeal to UKPC simply stating that I am not staff and asking them to update their records was successful:
"
Thank you for your recent correspondence in relation to parking charge reference XX. We have investigated the appeal based on the information you have submitted and confirm that in this instance the parking charge has been cancelled. No further action is required in relation to this parking charge and the matter is now closed
"
Thanks All for your advice!

Coupon-mad

user10215 said:

I am posting the outcome of this case just in case this is helpful for others.

My appeal to UKPC simply stating that I am not staff and asking them to update their records was successful:
"
Thank you for your recent correspondence in relation to parking charge reference XX. We have investigated the appeal based on the information you have submitted and confirm that in this instance the parking charge has been cancelled. No further action is required in relation to this parking charge and the matter is now closed
"
Thanks All for your advice!

Great!

But do contact the retail park to complain about how damn annoyed you are and that it has put you off returning because UKPC are issuing PCNs like confetti.  Landowners need to hear this and think twice about using pointless ex-clampers like UKPC.