First time poster: Received a DCBL Debt collection fine despite proof of parking

cannedrex2406

Hello, first time poster here in need of help. 

On 9/9/2025 at 10:30pm, I used London Colney Fields Shopping centre Car park to go to the PureGym in the shopping centre late at night for 1hr 15mins. The parking restrictions there is 10am-10pm and after 10pm, it's 10 mins free parking. There is a machine in the PureGym to entre your license but I don't remember if I entered it or not, but usually I do. 

Since then I moved house and changed my cars V5 address the following month,  and then I had gone on holiday from the 28th of November till the 24th of December. In that time, I had received a DCBL debt collection fine stating that I had parked overstaying their time limit and that it had been passed to debt collection and need to pay £155. 

I promptly emailed PureGym who were able to provide me with the time entered at the gym proving I was legally parked to use the gyms services. 

It says I cannot appeal the fine and that if I would like to, I would need to go to court. I still would like to appeal for the fine, or at least remove the debt collection fee as it's unfair that I didn't get the initial letter. Any words of advice on what to do? Thank you! 

kryten3000

Send the parking company and DCBL your new address. For the parking company use their published Data Protection Office contact details.  This protects you in case they "accidentally" use your old address for a court claim.

Dear Parking Company/DCBL

Your Ref. ############/

With reference to the above reference I confirm that my address for service for the time being is as follows, and any older address must be ERASED from your records:

[Correct address here and do this even if you have not moved]

I enclose a copy of the V5C document/utility bill as proof of address.

The alleged charges are disputed and any court proceedings will be vigorously defended.

Please confirm receipt and that your systems have been updated.

Gr1pr

There is no fine,  just an invoice from a private parking company 

Ignore the powerless debt collectors letters 

cannedrex2406

kryten3000 said:

Send the parking company and DCBL your new address. For the parking company use their published Data Protection Office contact details.  This protects you in case they "accidentally" use your old address for a court claim.

Dear Parking Company/DCBL

Your Ref. ############/

With reference to the above reference I confirm that my address for service for the time being is as follows, and any older address must be ERASED from your records:

[Correct address here and do this even if you have not moved]

I enclose a copy of the V5C document/utility bill as proof of address.

The alleged charges are disputed and any court proceedings will be vigorously defended.

Please confirm receipt and that your systems have been updated.

Thank you, I assume that puts the ball in their court and would that allow me to dispute the charges afterwards?

cannedrex2406

Gr1pr said:

There is no fine,  just an invoice from a private parking company 

Ignore the powerless debt collectors letters 

Would you recommend I just leave it? I am worried that it could lead to something down the line 

Gr1pr

It will eventually lead to a discontinuation and closure,  so ignore the interim unimportant stages , nothing can be done at these stages

Keep your ammunition and proof for a future important stage

Name the private parking company claimant 

cannedrex2406

Gr1pr said:

It will eventually lead to a discontinuation and closure,  so ignore the interim unimportant stages , nothing can be done at these stages

Keep your ammunition and proof for a future important stage

Name the private parking company claimant 

It's Euro car parking ltd. Apologies. 

I'll follow the instructions to mention my new address and as you said I suppose I could just wait till anything else happens

Coupon-mad

It isn't. It's Euro Car Parks.

I recommend you read @Umkomaas' DCB Legal discontinuances thread to see how and when it ends (with you paying nothing).

cannedrex2406

Coupon-mad said:

It isn't. It's Euro Car Parks.

I recommend you read @Umkomaas' DCB Legal discontinuances thread to see how and when it ends (with you paying nothing).

Apologies, yes it's Euro Car Parks. 

Just wanted to add I got a final reminder from them a few days ago to my old address. I assume I still ignore it?

Gr1pr

Wait for the Letter of Claim giving you 30 days notice,  and then the Money Claim 

Coupon-mad

I would not ignore letters going to an old address. Rectify that address now.