UK - Fine Parking lot near Stansted Airport MET parking

Pigna_Bell

Hi everyone,

I couldn't decide which section was best for this question. Apologies if this is the wrong one.

Basically, I had briefly parked in front of a star bucks at SouthGate. We didn't even leave the car as we were debating if going there or to another shopping mall. A month later I received a parking fine over 60 pounds (discounted from 100 for the first 14 days) stating that I had overstayed. Myself, and the other three people in the car checked to see if we indeed had to pay or if there was a time limit (we only stayed 20 minutes) and there was nothing written anywhere. It turns out that you have to sign your car in the Kiosk inside Starbucks. I find this really misleading as it wasn't written in the entrance nor in the parking bays where they usually put that information.

I appealed and they asked if I had a receipt or some proof of consumption - we didn't even leave the car. 

This is their last email:

Thank you for your correspondence in respect of the above charge. The free parking period is only available to motorists
who have registered their vehicle via the kiosk in Starbucks. Having checked our records, we confirm that your vehicle
was not registered and as such you were not entitled to the free parking period.

In order for us to consider your appeal fully please can you send us a copy of your receipt or other evidence to show that
you were a Starbucks customer on 18/06/2025. This can be uploaded at www.appealmetparking.com. We have placed
your charge on hold for a further 14 days to allow you time to send us this information. If we do not receive the
information by the end of the 14 days we will have to reach a decision on your appeal based on the information we hold
at that time.
Turning to the points you have raised:
We note you have used an appeal template which references Apcoa, however we are MET parking. 

Is there anything I can do? Thank you in advance!

pinkshoes

It would appear you are not alone:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6578300/stansted-starbucks-met-parking-fine

born_again

Reported to be moved

Pigna_Bell

Thank you - I have now read the FAQ sheet. Initially, not knowing I had found a thread while searching through google and sent them an appeal with a template (which turns out is a wrong one) because I referenced APCOA while they are MET. After having sent that, they asked for further evidence to consider my appeal. I read the thread of the person having the same exact issue in the same exact parking lot and they were mentioning POPLA. Having already sent the appeal and now them wanting me to submit receipts or similar, what should I do?

Pigna_Bell

I'm still seeking advice on this. I just received the following email:



Is this really it? Can they get away with putting up ambiguous signage?

ChirpyChicken

Yes they can do what they want
But it doesn't matter as you are not paying them

Coupon-mad

Pigna_Bell said:

I'm still seeking advice on this. I just received the following email:



Is this really it? Can they get away with putting up ambiguous signage?

Well it's not it because you have a POPLA code and won't be paying anyway.

Pigna_Bell

Before appealing to POPLA, should I reply stating that the driver doesn't have evidence of having consumed at Starbucks because it wasn't clear that they needed to register at the kiosk?

Coupon-mad

No.                

Pigna_Bell

So what's my step from here? Regarding evidence, could I use also other online posts that have have an issue with the same exact parking spot? What other evidence should I submit? I don't have pictures of the place. 

Coupon-mad

How to do POPLA is in post 3 of the NEWBIES thread.