Central Six parking fines drive customers away

[dutchman]

A Central Six customer claims a parking firm is putting customers off the retail park after she was slapped with a £70 fine.



Jan Ford was fined when she parked outside the JJB shop and spent two hours shopping.

She was told she had gone over the parking limit – which is one hour in the small area where she was parked and two hours in the rest of the site.

Jan, of Waverley Road, Kenilworth, said: “I accept I went over the time limit but I never realised there even was one. There are not enough signs up to warn motorists.

“My point is these retailers are trying to attract business and get people to spend money, but how can they do that when the company is fining everyone.

"These stores are being treated unfairly. What if a disabled person or someone with kids comes shopping? Even within two hours it is difficult for them to get around so quick.”

A shop manager admitted to the Telegraph the stringent rules were having an effect on business, with several customers complaining.

Jan, 53, who had spent £54 in three stores, added: “Unfortunately I won’t be shopping here anymore. I feel sorry for the retailers. This is not good for trade.

“If there is going to be a limit it should be consistent across the park. People come here to shop because it is convenient.

"You can easily spend an hour just in one shop so two hours is not enough. There isn’t even an option for you to pay for an extra hour on a pay and display machine.”

Central Six has always imposed a time limit to stop railway station users and city centre shoppers abusing the free parking.

However fines were only introduced three months ago when a new firm took over. Customers can also no longer return within an hour as the movement of each car in the car park is monitored by CCTV cameras.

A store manager, who wanted to remain anonymous, said they get five complaints a day from customers, adding: “The parking limit is very unfair.

"It has always been here but now a new group is running the parking, there’s CCTV and people are getting fined left right and centre, and the retailers are suffering.

“Parking does get absurd here and the limit is in to stop people abusing it, but to attack customers like this is unfair.

“They should be doing all they can to increase economy and encouraging people to come here, not stopping them.

“I’ve had so many people throwing abuse at me and refusing to shop here again. It happens all the time.”

No-one from car park management, G4S, was available to comment as the Telegraph went to press.

[peterwilliams]

Central six fined me £70 for parking 2hours 20 mins.
I have paid the fine as I was convinced I broke there parking rules.
But I am concerned as I was changinging my young son in the car and they have photographic evidence of my car.
Does this mean I was being watched while my son was naked.
I will not be pressing any charges or making any appeals as I have no evidence photos were being taken of my son while he was naked.
This is just a warning to all shoppers it seems you are being filmed and photographed regardardless if you broke the parking rules or not.
How can we be sure any of cenral six employees can be trused viewing young children or am I paranoid.
To be sure my two girls aged 9 and 6 and my young son will not be shopping at central six again.
Be aware

[dutchman]

Hello Peter and to the forum

I don't think you have too much to be worried about? Security guards pay little attention to CCTV monitors at the best of times and many of them are also parents themselves so it's nothing they haven't seen before.