Smart Parking Limited County Court Claim - Angouleme Retail Park, Bury

DT317

Hi All,

In March 2022, I asked for an advise on this forum about a Smart Parking Limited fine.  At the time I made a mistake of appealing with POPLA and got rejected. I was advised to ignore their letters until I receive a a court letter. This incident happened on 27/10/2021, and came about because I paid using the council ticket machine, not realising the car parks are demarcated. This is something that has caught out many people.

The county court claim I received yesterday is dated 17th October, 2025.

I would appreciate advice on next steps please.

Gr1pr

Study the 2nd post in the newbies sticky thread in announcements 

Then study the first 2 posts in the defence template thread in announcements 

Login to your government gateway account and navigate to MCOL and complete the AOS online first,  ASAP 

Then adapt the standard template defence in the defence template thread,  if D.C. signed the claim form on the back  , near the top 

Post a redacted picture of the POC from the lower left of the claim form below after hiding the VRM details first 

Le_Kirk

With an issue date of 17/10/25 and providing you complete(d) the AoS after 22/10/25 and before 05/11/25 your defence deadline date is 4.00 p.m. on 19/11/25

Car1980

Notorious place. 

I'm guessing through DCB Legal? Due for discontinuance in 2026 if so.

One day someone will counterclaim here and force it to hearing, which will ruin their little cash cow site.

DT317

Car1980 said:

Notorious place. 

I'm guessing through DCB Legal? Due for discontinuance in 2026 if so.

One day someone will counterclaim here and force it to hearing, which will ruin their little cash cow site.

Yes, through DCB legal

Car1980

Yep, defend and it'll never go to a hearing.

DT317

Car1980 said:

Yep, defend and it'll never go to a hearing.

Thanks. will follow the guide provide and share an update

DT317

Gr1pr said:

Study the 2nd post in the newbies sticky thread in announcements 

Then study the first 2 posts in the defence template thread in announcements 

Login to your government gateway account and navigate to MCOL and complete the AOS online first,  ASAP 

Then adapt the standard template defence in the defence template thread,  if D.C. signed the claim form on the back  , near the top 

Post a redacted picture of the POC from the lower left of the claim form below after hiding the VRM details first 

sorry to ask but the forum is a bit of a mine field and i want to make sure i'm looking at the right place. is this the link to the newbies thread? https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81671640#Comment_81671640?

is this the defence thread you mentioned? https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6108153/suggested-template-defence-to-adapt-for-all-parking-charge-cases-where-they-add-false-admin-costs/p1

Many thanks for your help

Gr1pr

Yes, thats correct for both,  look at the first couple of posts in each one