Received Parking Charge Notice after car broken down in supermarket car park

moneysaver128

Hello All,

I have read the newbies page and advice. Apologies if I have posted incorrectly. I would appreciate some clarification on some points.

I was in a supermarket Car Park and returned within the allotted time to find the car broken down. No breakdown rescue telephone number or account details to hand so had to return later with them and call rescue in meantime. They took 5 hours to reach the car. I have an email confirming repair from the rescue company with number plate, location and times.

I submitted these to the issuer via their website together with appeal. This was done within the 14 days and I received an acknowledgement. They say they will respond with the appeal outcome within 28 days. I am confused by their 28 days. Does this mean 28 days from date of notice, 28 days from so called contravention or 28 days from the initial appeal?

The appeal was submitted on 22nd February 2026. I have checked on their website and the charge is still live at £50.

Do they generally actually respond to appeals by their own dates? I have the feeling they will not respond to ordinary email correspondence at their 'customer services'. What do I do if they miss their deadline to send me the initial appeal outcome and no POPLA reference? These dates are coming up soon.

Sorry if these questions have been asked many times. I have read the Newbie pages carefully and they are very helpful to get some grasp on this situation.

I visited the supermarket after the incident and showed the staff manager the RAC report. She said she would try and remove the PCN. The best she could do she said. However, it still seems live on the Parking Charge Company website. I have taken your advice and written to the CEO of the supermarket using the suggestions also provided as a twin track approach.

Any advice would be appreciated

Gr1pr

Name the private parking company and Supermarket

Don't worry about their appeal response deadline, if you appealed

Complaining about it to the retailer or landowner was correct, known as plan A

DE_612183

doubt they will cancel the charge on the basis of that appeal

Landowner / Supermarket is best.

when you "appealed" did you do so as the "Keeper" or the "Driver"?

cooldude255220

The Single Sector Code of Practice generously (ahem) lists "where the vehicle has broken down" as an appeal where "the charge should be reduced to £20 for a period of 14 days" so I suspect that's the best you're going to hope for in terms of their internal appeal process. I too would be surprised if they cancelled it.

Can you post a suitable redacted copy of the NtK?

misterbu

Similar happened to myself a few months ago ( A Sainsbury's store in Essex )

After breaking down I simply went to customer services and explained car was broken down and rescue/ recovery would be called

They just asked for registration number, logged it in the computer and said no tickets would be issued for that day ( they used the process they normally use for official vistors / sales rep cars etc.)

It was finally about 6 hours before it was recovered ( another story in its own right ) but as they promised no tickets issued

Suggest if it happens to you, first port of call is customer services desk in the shop

moneysaver128

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81917003#Comment_81917003

Stupidly, I did not copy the appeal page. I don't remember saying anything about driver or keeper? The Parking Charge is Notice to keeper.

Gr1pr

Name the private parking company and supermarket

moneysaver128

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81917016#Comment_81917016

I will post a redacted copy shortly.

moneysaver128

Thanks for responses and views on best way forward. I will post any positive outcome from dealing with the supermarket. I will consider naming them depending on outcome. More generally we have decided in future not to park in any privately owned car park with cameras and outsourced to these parking outfits. Council car parks in my area seem to have a maximum charge, so if broken down this limits any potential charge to the end of the day. The car parks are thereafter free so giving time for a tardy breakdown van (as in my case) to arrive, and thereby limiting the penalty. We also survey areas now to see if there is any street parking (free) and always study even the Council car parks meticulously before entering - especially in an area we do not know. We also choose cash or card. Never Apps.