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GEMINI / APCOA PCN journey

Hi all,

Just wanted to start a thread to record this journey.

I had parked in a car park for 4 hours - my first 2 hour payment did not go through which i did not realise at that point. When I went to extend it, that is when I realised and so I paid for those two hours, plus an extra 2 hours which covered the four hour duration i was there before leaving the premises.
We were supposed to pay on entry so I proactively emailed Apcoa to explain the situation and not to generate a PCN as I had proof of payments for my duration of stay.

Of course they ignored me and I got a gemini pcn through the post. (I think Gemini and Apcoa are run by the same company.)

Anyway as I am now known as PCN Queen from my husband, I know they are likely to reject any appeal given, and the next stage of IAS will be offered to which I will 99.9% probably not do due to their reputation of being a 'kangaroo' court.

The online appeal i wrote:

Dear Gemini Parking Solutions,

I am appealing this Parking Charge Notice in my capacity as the registered keeper of the vehicle.

I dispute liability for the charge and request its cancellation.

The notice alleges “Failure to Pay for Duration of Stay”. However, parking payments totalling four hours were made through the APCOA payment system before the vehicle departed the site. Copies of the payment receipts are provided.

An initial attempt to pay was affected by a technical payment failure, which was subsequently addressed through further payments. APCOA was proactively notified of the circumstances on 27 September 2026, before this Parking Charge Notice was issued, under complaint reference 9*****. Despite acknowledging that correspondence, APCOA provided no substantive response before the charge was issued.

In these circumstances, I dispute the justification for imposing a £100 charge, particularly given the genuine attempts to comply with the payment requirements and the steps taken to rectify the payment issue.

Should you refuse this appeal, please provide the following:

1) The precise contractual term allegedly breached and a clear explanation of whether the allegation concerns the timing of payment, the duration purchased, or both.

2) A complete record of payments associated with vehicle Y***** on the relevant date, including how those payments were allocated.

3) Photographs of the contractual signage in place on 25 September 2026, including all relevant payment instructions and terms governing the alleged contravention.

4) Confirmation of the legal basis on which you seek to hold the registered keeper liable, including whether you rely upon Schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and, if so, how the Notice to Keeper satisfies its statutory requirements.

5) Confirmation that APCOA complaint reference 9**** has been investigated and taken into account.

No admission regarding the identity of the driver is made by this appeal.

I request that the charge be cancelled. Alternatively, please provide a fully reasoned response addressing each point raised, together with the appropriate independent appeals instructions.

Yours faithfully,

Registered Keeper

I have also complained to the leisure centre this was at so watch for updates…

Comments

  • Gr1pr
    Gr1pr Posts: 16,404
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Forumite
    edited 12 October at 2:45PM

    Why are you including 2 completely different private parking companies. ( Gemini, and APCOA. )

    Name the private parking company claimant listed on the postal pcn and on the signs

  • Car1980
    Car1980 Posts: 3,667
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    edited 12 October at 2:43PM

    Since APCOA bought Gemini in 2024 I can't find any court claims.

    I would just ignore personally.

  • Kaziyyah
    Kaziyyah Posts: 44
    Second Anniversary 10 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite

    The signs said APCOA on it, and the PCN said Gemini - I understand they are the same company which I mentioned in my thread - I am sure others may be confused by this too.

  • Gr1pr
    Gr1pr Posts: 16,404
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Forumite

    They Are NOT the same company, the company numbers will be different ! ( and the names. )

    Yes they may have the same owner, but only one can be correct, same as with Excel and VCS, or Parking Eye and CPP , or APCOA and UKPPO , details matter

    You are dealing with one entity, probably Gemini

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