Overstay fine - adding to appeal template?

voyage_88

A couple of weeks ago I spent the afternoon working from a Starbucks and received a Notice To Keeper for overstaying.

I don't recall any signs laying out time limits, and can't see any on google maps. However I'm not local so I haven't been able to go back and check.

The notice to keeper says what time I arrived and what time I left, but does not state what the limit was or by how long I overstayed.

I followed the guidance and started off with an email to Starbucks, who were very apologetic and passed me to the manage of the location. She also was very apologetic and asked for the fine details so she could liaise with them directly to get it cancelled.

Yesterday she emailed back saying that despite her best efforts she has been unable to get the fine cancelled for me, but instead offered some starbucks vouchers. She did not say of what value, but I'm sure not £100 to cover the fine!

The most interesting part of her email however, is this:

"Please also be reassured that the parking company has now introduced new procedures at the car park to help prevent similar issues in the future, including installing a tablet in-store where customers can enter their vehicle registration number to avoid receiving fines."

This, to me, is an admission from the parking company that I was there legitimately and they had just not yet put in place the measures to ensure I would not get fined. The location is quite newly built I believe, with some of the other premises nearby not yet open.

I know I need to move onto Plan B now, and send the standard appeal template. But I feel like this could be useful information to include - however I don't want to jeopardise my chances.

Would be keen to know your thoughts on what to include? I am also not sure if I have shot myself in the foot since I essentially admitted to being the driver to Starbucks, who then probably have communicated that to the parking company in their negotiation on getting it cancelled.

The company is called Parking Group and they are a member of the BPA. The NTK does show photos of my car arriving and leaving, but as I say, no actual explanation of time limits or what I exceeded.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Nellymoser

Where is this Starbucks? Do you know the name of the retail park or shopping area it's situated on.

Coupon-mad

Complain to the retail park managing agents (I don't mean the parking firm).

Don't expect appeal to work. It is all a farce. Certainly no paying it!

voyage_88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891598#Comment_81891598

Yes, it's Wynyard Retail and Trade Park in Stockton-on-Tees.

It is very newly opened, I think some of it is still being built. Do you advise I contact them directly instead of Starbucks?

voyage_88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891619#Comment_81891619

I'll try that, but my 28 days to appeal is coming up so might have to do both. Is there a reason you think appeal won't work for me specifically?

Coupon-mad

Because it's an overstay which isn't worth trying at POPLA. Which parking firm?

voyage_88

The firm is Parking Group Ltd