A DISGRUNTLED supermarket customer is warning other shoppers not to fall for “unwarranted” fines handed out by private car park management firms.
Eduardo Zanre, 63, was landed with an £85 fine for exceeding the two-hour limit in the Morrisons car park on King Street by 31 minutes.
Parking Eye, which is employed by Morrisons, sent him a fine and after Mr Zanre appealed twice, his charge was cancelled. But he fears that many other customers have been paying up when they don’t have to.
Morrisons has revealed they can cancel customer charge notices or even refund previously paid ones, as long as they have their receipt to prove they used the superstore at the time the fine was issued – something that has not been publicised.
Mr Zanre said: “I understand that Parking Eye are policing the area because some people will park there and then go to work, or shop elsewhere which is wrong.
“But to be issued with a significant fine penalising us for being paying customers is ridiculous. It seems like this firm are just trying their luck, hitting anyone with a fine and hoping some pay up, whether it’s warranted or not.”
A spokeswoman for Parking Eye said: “Car park users enter into a contract to not exceed free parking limits.
“A parking charge becomes payable if the terms and conditions of the car park are not adhered to.”
However, Morrisons, on King Street, say that any customers who think they may exceed the two hour car park limit at their store can speak to a member of staff on arrival, or give their registration to customer services so they are not issued with a fine.
Customers who have already received or paid a fine while shopping in the store can take their receipt in and get a refund.
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