Holiday Inn Preston - Car park fine

[Blackpool Rock]

Just received a fine through the post for parking in their car park so thought I would flag the risk to other punters.
My immediate thought was I only parked for about 45 minutes and did enter the building so not sure why they would flag me however i'm guessing it's automatic number plate recognition (complete with a pic of my car entering and exiting along with times on the camera).
The blurb on the back goes on about clear signage that the car park is private and the fact that I didn't enter my reg in the terminal in reception.

£100 reduced to £60 if paid in 2 weeks, i'm guessing it's probably best to just pay, wankers 
At least I had a good shag   

[Gordon Bennett]

Just received a fine through the post for parking in their car park so thought I would flag the risk to other punters.
My immediate thought was I only parked for about 45 minutes and did enter the building so not sure why they would flag me however i'm guessing it's automatic number plate recognition (complete with a pic of my car entering and exiting along with times on the camera).
The blurb on the back goes on about clear signage that the car park is private and the fact that I didn't enter my reg in the terminal in reception.

£100 reduced to £60 if paid in 2 weeks, i'm guessing it's probably best to just pay, wankers 
At least I had a good shag 

Bloody hell, expensive punt!! Bad luck fellah but thanks for heads up. I get so excited before a punt I'd probably forget or misstype my number plate in their silly machine and still get a ticket.

[Blackpool Rock]

Bloody hell, expensive punt!! Bad luck fellah but thanks for heads up. I get so excited before a punt I'd probably forget or misstype my number plate in their silly machine and still get a ticket.

Yeah annoying really as their car park is quite small and usually a bugger to find a space so I tend to park 5 minutes walk away.
This particular day the car park was almost empty due to the time I arrived and it was a lovely evening plus I was 30 minutes early so could have easily walked it 
Oh well £60 isn't the end of the world and hopefully this warning will save other punters, will take a proper read of the signs next time i'm there but for future reference I won't be parking anywhere that "Parking eye" is displayed.

[Scotpunter]

Thanks for the heads up mate.

[freeze44]

Yeah had the same at service stations and now the likes of parking eye are aggressive in pursuit of fines due to a recent court case. Bastard money making scheme and now seen this will avoid so thanks.

[scutty brown]

I've never yet had a private parking company follow through on threatened court action. If they can't identify the driver they can't enforce the charge as they don't know who to take to court. If you simply don't reply to the correspondence, or reply in a manner which leaves the matter of who was driving uncertain, then they have a real problem enforcing anything and will probably go away and annoy someone else.
However don't try that with a council PCN - different rules apply there.
Remember - all that parking notice is, is an invoice, an invitation to pay, one that you didn't request - and one that the parking company does not know who should pay unless you tell them

[The Bandit 5342]

That all changed in 2015 when a case went all the way and the greedy bastards won.

Unless you feel you can win it is now best to pay up.

[photoclicker]

assuming this is the one next to the bus station

[Blackpool Rock]

I've never yet had a private parking company follow through on threatened court action. If they can't identify the driver they can't enforce the charge as they don't know who to take to court. If you simply don't reply to the correspondence, or reply in a manner which leaves the matter of who was driving uncertain, then they have a real problem enforcing anything and will probably go away and annoy someone else.
However don't try that with a council PCN - different rules apply there.
Remember - all that parking notice is, is an invoice, an invitation to pay, one that you didn't request - and one that the parking company does not know who should pay unless you tell them

Yeah the immediate thought is "how do I avoid paying" and there is blurb on the back about DVLA having provided my details as the registered keeper however it also says as they don't know who the driver was then the notice needs to be passed to the driver.
It then claims (rightly or wrongly) they have the right to claim the money from me if the driver can't be identified, also if you give a false address for a driver or someone else denies being the driver then they will also pursue me.
Now i'm sure that I could ultimately get out of paying as they haven't provided a face photo of the driver and the law is based on proof but for £60 i'm thinking it's more agro to deny and the write letters etc than to pay up, I also don't want the potential issues of having bad references on my credit score etc.
The other way they get you is the fact that by paying now the fine is £60 whereas leaving it and hoping it will go away the fine goes up to £100 

[Blackpool Rock]

assuming this is the one next to the bus station

Yeah that's the one

[photoclicker]

would be better on b&n carpark

[Blackpool Rock]

would be better on b&n carpark

Possibly but i'm not sure whether that car park is monitored etc, the thing is i'm always wary of parking in shop car parks etc if i'm not using the shop due to the prospect of getting a ticket.
Where I tend to park is to drive past the hotel entrance down Carlisle st and past the bus station then turn right onto pole st down to the end and turn left onto church st where there is free on road parking for an hour or two, it's about quarter of a mile walk to the hotel so no more than 5 minutes.

[Asianfcuker]

That all changed in 2015 when a case went all the way and the greedy bastards won.

Unless you feel you can win it is now best to pay up.

To the best of my knowledge this is the one and only case the Parking Eye have won, but I may be mistaken.

Parking Eye have sent me several notices in the past for parking which I have totally ignored, after sending the 3rd letter (2nd reminder) they usually give up.

Maybe be better to return to Holiday Inn and get them to sort it out, I did just this at the Legacy International hotel on Marsh Lane  Preston all reception asked was this date and room number I visited never heard anything else.

AF
 

[george r]

External Link/Members Only

well worth reading before you pay..

[con-a-ser]

To the best of my knowledge this is the one and only case the Parking Eye have won, but I may be mistaken.

Parking Eye have sent me several notices in the past for parking which I have totally ignored, after sending the 3rd letter (2nd reminder) they usually give up.

Maybe be better to return to Holiday Inn and get them to sort it out, I did just this at the Legacy International hotel on Marsh Lane  Preston all reception asked was this date and room number I visited never heard anything else.

AF

I am in same boat just got 4th letter
1st half price
2nd not paid
3rd will take you to court
4th A debt collection agency (mentioning they won the case)

So I want to know was the ones who went away before or after the court case
Has other told me to just ignore it which I was happy to do & letters are been sent to an address the car is not registered to as moved after the offence but before first letter arrived
so car now registered at new address

[scutty brown]

Two of mine were after that court case. Several legal letters, which I just ignored. All gone away

FWIW, next time you use that hotel, there's free parking off the A6 around Lund St, Walker St

[standardpostage]

Maybe the escort / service provider, should mention this car park situation on her website, or when we contact her ! That is presuming she knows about it.

[con-a-ser]

FWIW, next time you use that hotel, there's free parking off the A6 around Lund St, Walker St

Thanks for the info but mine was actually at another venue in Manchester

[Blackpool Rock]

Maybe the escort / service provider, should mention this car park situation on her website, or when we contact her ! That is presuming she knows about it.

She did say it was her 1st time using this hotel and looking at street view on google maps earlier the image is about 12 months old and I can't see the signs so assume it's fairly recent.
I was wondering whether to send the girl an AW e-mail so she can warn punters, in fact I will then I can see if she flags this next time I book her if she stays here again.

[bolster3]

I am in same boat just got 4th letter
1st half price
2nd not paid
3rd will take you to court
4th A debt collection agency (mentioning they won the case)
[/quote]

I had the same.
The next letter will tell you that as a goodwill gesture if you pay the original reduced rate for payment within 30 days they will take no further action.
It followed the others into the bin and I didn't receive any more.

[con-a-ser]

It followed the others into the bin and I didn't receive any more.

how long ago did you receive it as legally they have to take you to court within a time limit 101 & 366 days ring a bell in my head pending on what the case is criminal / compensation

[Kriss]

Yeah the immediate thought is "how do I avoid paying" and there is blurb on the back about DVLA having provided my details as the registered keeper however it also says as they don't know who the driver was then the notice needs to be passed to the driver.
It then claims (rightly or wrongly) they have the right to claim the money from me if the driver can't be identified, also if you give a false address for a driver or someone else denies being the driver then they will also pursue me.
Now i'm sure that I could ultimately get out of paying as they haven't provided a face photo of the driver and the law is based on proof but for £60 i'm thinking it's more agro to deny and the write letters etc than to pay up, I also don't want the potential issues of having bad references on my credit score etc.
The other way they get you is the fact that by paying now the fine is £60 whereas leaving it and hoping it will go away the fine goes up to £100

What about giving an address in Thailand? I assume you know one or two?

[Blackpool Rock]

What about giving an address in Thailand? I assume you know one or two?

Don't think they will buy it if I tell them
Juicy Lucy
69 Minge way
Bangkok
 

Been reading on the internet and it appears to be a civil matter not criminal therefore they can't involve bailiffs and tend to go for you through small claims although in a very small amount of cases it may be county court.
Most of what i've read goes on about if you have stayed 20 minutes over what you paid for and the fine needing to be proportionate etc

Thinking I may go back and read / get a photo of what the sign actually says to check whether it states you must enter your reg in reception, if it doesn't then i'm not fucking paying

[Asianfcuker]

Not sure about not being able to get a bailiff visit, none payment of rent to a private landlord, landlord can apply to the courts (in Scotland the Sheriff's Office) for a either a repossession order or the full rent payment due, or take good to cover the cost. These are served by a representative of the court usually a bailiff.

Long winded but may be useful
External Link/Members Only

External Link/Members Only

External Link/Members Only

Latest May 2017
External Link/Members Only

AF

[bolster3]

how long ago did you receive it as legally they have to take you to court within a time limit 101 & 366 days ring a bell in my head pending on what the case is criminal / compensation

About 18 months between 1st and last letters.

I've had this happen twice, the last time was overnight on a car park for a retail centre that also has apartments on one side.
Now who is going to use the retail centre overnight??

There were no signs saying overnight parking wasn't allowed, just a limit of 2 hours free parking between 8 and 8.

Basically they are trying to threaten you to pay.
A lot of people just panic and pay straight away as the half price offer seems a bargain.
If you don't have any contact at all they usually give up as it's not worth the effort to continue, they make enough from the people who do pay.
If you enter any dialogue with them it's seen as an admission that you had parked there.

[standardpostage]

Condolences for car park fine :-(
I got ticket once for overstaying 2 hrs free time on TKMaxx car park. Went in shop told them i'd bought something (had receipt to prove) and they cancelled fine.
Unfortunately everyone uses the poor motorist as a cash cow. Police with their speeding fines, and private companies and councils with parking or entering bus lane fines. Hazards of motoring I guess.
Glad you had a good shag.
PS. Be careful of bus lanes or bus only routes in Preston. Cameras everywhere.

[Kriss]

Don't think they will buy it if I tell them
Juicy Lucy
69 Minge way
Bangkok
 

Probably not, but I know somebody who gave the (real) address of the driver as a GF who lived in Hongkong. Never heard another word about it. True.

[con-a-ser]

Basically they are trying to threaten you to pay.
A lot of people just panic and pay straight away as the half price offer seems a bargain.
If you don't have any contact at all they usually give up as it's not worth the effort to continue, they make enough from the people who do pay.
If you enter any dialogue with them it's seen as an admission that you had parked there.

I would rather take it to court as the entrance to the car park was moved due to a new building been put in place

So would ask for copies of land registry to see if they own it
Planning permission for sign
Permits for signs etc if any not in place I will plaster it all over the internet & news papers advising everyone who as paid to county court them for a refund

If things go wrong will still cost them for solicitors that will be more than the £70 they want of me

[jaydee15]

Just a quick note regards parking guys. I've avoided "fines" from PRIVATE car parks through stubborn ignorance, like others in this thread. I can confirm council parking fines (usually issued by traffic wardens) are different altogether and carry full legal backing, so be careful with say meter parking etc.
So, if it's from a company, just fuck them off they'll eventually go away. The moneysavingexpert link provides best advice.

[Liamant]

I ignored one there six months ago about five letters from various companies then they gave up

[stokiemike]

Jesus, I hope you weren't banging some fat Romanian, unless she did the lot for 50 quid of course.

You could say you had to meet a business acquaintance - worth a try.

SM

[Blackpool Rock]

I am in same boat just got 4th letter
1st half price
2nd not paid
3rd will take you to court
4th A debt collection agency (mentioning they won the case)

So I want to know was the ones who went away before or after the court case
Has other told me to just ignore it which I was happy to do & letters are been sent to an address the car is not registered to as moved after the offence but before first letter arrived
so car now registered at new address

Bumping this thread as i've just got my 3rd letter threatening court action CCJ + solicitor fees etc, have you heard anything else about your fine Con?
Just also wondering as I haven't replied or communicated anything back to them on the 1st 2 letters whether it's best to just ignore them or open dialogue saying I have no idea who the driver was and can they provide a face photo so I know who to pass it on to.

[george r]

Bumping this thread as i've just got my 3rd letter threatening court action CCJ + solicitor fees etc, have you heard anything else about your fine Con?
Just also wondering as I haven't replied or communicated anything back to them on the 1st 2 letters whether it's best to just ignore them or open dialogue saying I have no idea who the driver was and can they provide a face photo so I know who to pass it on to.

ignore it mate..

[scutty brown]

if you reply in that way you stand a chance of being caught out in court as a liar, any judge would give you real shit. Best to ignore and say nothing. Also if you do answer the letter, that then confirms you as a contact and gives them more of an incentive to hassle you - and also proves you've received the letter, making it harder to ignore them in future

[Kriss]

Sorry if you've already answered this question - are the letters addressed to you by name?

[vw]

Just received a fine through the post for parking in their car park so thought I would flag the risk to other punters.
My immediate thought was I only parked for about 45 minutes and did enter the building so not sure why they would flag me however i'm guessing it's automatic number plate recognition (complete with a pic of my car entering and exiting along with times on the camera).
The blurb on the back goes on about clear signage that the car park is private and the fact that I didn't enter my reg in the terminal in reception.

£100 reduced to £60 if paid in 2 weeks, i'm guessing it's probably best to just pay, wankers 
At least I had a good shag 

Think you need to register registration with reception to avoid this, its clear ad mud on the check in documents which you would never have seen.

[Blackpool Rock]

Sorry if you've already answered this question - are the letters addressed to you by name?

Yes addressed by name which they have got from the DVLA as the licensed owner of the vehicle

[Blackpool Rock]

Think you need to register registration with reception to avoid this, its clear ad mud on the check in documents which you would never have seen.

Yeah I appear to have bypassed reception somehow 

[vw]

Yeah I appear to have bypassed reception somehow 

Shocking behaviour 

Shame they don't issue tickets at reception for the prossie to dish out, would be easier for outcalls also, have had to check a prossies car into reception for an o/n once.

[munterhunter]

These ANPR systems are common in motorway services they record your numberplate time of entering and leaving. If you exceed allowed time and don't register in the services or pay a small fee to stay over the time limit they send you a ticket in the post. A couple of years ago a mate had a 2 hr booking with a WG in a travelodge at a motorway services. There was a 2 hr time limit so he went over by 25 min and got a ticket. Had to do some explaining to his wife!!! If he'd gone to the restaurant or a shop in the services given his reg no and paid 6quid he would not have got a ticket.

[CoolTiger]

These ANPR systems are common in motorway services they record your numberplate time of entering and leaving. If you exceed allowed time and don't register in the services or pay a small fee to stay over the time limit they send you a ticket in the post. A couple of years ago a mate had a 2 hr booking with a WG in a travelodge at a motorway services. There was a 2 hr time limit so he went over by 25 min and got a ticket. Had to do some explaining to his wife!!! If he'd gone to the restaurant or a shop in the services given his reg no and paid 6quid he would not have got a ticket.

M1 J21a Services (Leicester Forest East) has same policy.

Numerous WGs book into the hotel at the service station, and anyone who goes over the time limit in the car park can expect to receive a fine through the post.

Take extreme care at such service stations.