Mansfield retail park's charges '˜prey on customers'

The ParkingEye camera system, which records vehicle registration numbers as they enter St Peter’s Retail Park, has been slammed for “preying” on unsuspecting customers, giving no leeway for drivers left waiting for spaces at busy times.

David Tillyer, aged 50, was sent an £85 penalty charge notice after parking at St Peter’s, having spent 15 minutes trying to find a space.

It meant that after he had completed a 45-minute shopping trip at TK Maxx he had gone over his allotted time.

He said: “These fines are harsh – £85 just for a £1 parking ticket is extortionate.

“They prey on the elderly and people who are not so savvy and will quickly pay a fine out of fear.

“If it hadn’t included the time I took parking, I may have been a couple of minutes over, but surely there’s got to be some leeway.”

The real estate manager, of Mansfield, appealed the original notice incurred on February 5, but it was rejected.

He has now joined a number of customers who say the system has put them off shopping at St Peter’s.

Mr Tillyer, a father-of-two, said: “I will not be parking there again if this is how they treat their customers.

“So, because of the actions of ParkingEye, the companies on that retail park will lose my business.”

The British Land-owned car park has a contract on display, which states: “By parking, waiting or otherwise remaining in this car park you agree to comply with these terms and conditions.”

A ParkingEye spokesman said: “ParkingEye adheres to the British Parking Association’s guidelines on grace periods and as the driver overstayed beyond this period a parking charge was incurred”

“If a motorist disagrees with our decision they have the option to appeal to the independent appeals service.

“In this case the driver did appeal, but our original decision was upheld.”

British Land did not respond to a request for comment.