A FRUSTRATED driver said a car park operator is “preying” on people who do not know the rules after winning a year-long battle.

Zubair Anjum went to Asda’s CEO with his complaint on behalf of his friend after months of “ignored emails” and threats of bailiff action through the post from ParkingEye.

Mr Anjum got an apology from Asda’s executive team and the fine cancelled, with ParkingEye stating the fine was cancelled as a “gesture of goodwill”.

ParkingEye, who operate the Asda carpark in Brighton Marina, issued a fine to Paul Lee after he left his car for just over two hours on a Sunday morning in August last year, outside permitted hours.

Zubair Anjum, Mr Lee’s friend, acted on his behalf due to his ill-health. Mr Anjum stated that the signage in the car park is unclear and is placed high up - which makes it hard to read.

The Argus:

The Asda car park is open from 10am until 5.30pm on Sundays, but still allows customers to enter the car park despite it being officially closed.

The signage showing opening times was also partially blocked by bushes, making it hard for customers to realise they were breaking rules.

Mr Anjum added: “The sign is not readable by drivers unless they stop their vehicles on the bend causing a dangerous obstruction to other drivers entering the car park behind them.”

He continually emailed ParkingEye asking for a POPLA reference number so he could appeal the parking charge. POPLA is an independent appeals service for parking tickets issued on private land.

Mr Anjum stated that they never received a rejection notice for their appeal against the charge so could not appeal using the reference number.

He said: “We never received that rejection notice in the post, we never received the reference number so we weren’t able to appeal properly.

“Then I emailed ParkingEye and I must have emailed them at least seven or eight times almost every month, asking them to either send me a rejection notice with the reference number so I can file an appeal with POPLA, or provide me evidence that they posted a letter to me.

“They continually ignored those emails. Every time I asked they wouldn’t respond to the emails, they wouldn’t provide the information that I asked for and then I think it was in May when we started getting letters from debt collectors.”

Mr Anjum said he spoke to an employee at ParkingEye, who told him that the letters are used as a “scare tactic”.

After receiving multiple threats of bailiff action and not being given a POPLA reference number, Mr Anjum decided to raise the issue with Asda directly.

He emailed Roger Burnley, CEO of Asda, about the incident and got a response within two days.

He said: “A member of the CEO’s executive team emailed me and apologised for the hassle and everything that happened. He said he had instructed ParkingEye to cancel the ticket immediately.”

The Argus:

ParkingEye stated that they have multiple signs across the car park and stated that even though Mr Lee parked beyond permitted hours, they have cancelled the parking charge as a goodwill gesture.

A Parkingeye spokesman said: “The car park has 41 prominent and highly-visible signs throughout providing clear information that the car park is monitored by ANPR camera systems as well as detailed guidance on the terms and conditions of using the parking facilities.

“The motorist parked for a period beyond the permitted parking hours and correctly received a Parking Charge Notice. However, as a gesture of goodwill on this occasion the parking charge has been cancelled.”

An Asda spokesman said: "Following feedback from local residents we implemented cameras to prevent our Brighton Marina store car park from being misused, but we would like to reassure our customers that they can still park there free of charge for up to two hours whilst the store is open.

“On this occasion we have been able to work with Parking Eye to cancel this charge. There is clear signage across the car park and we would like to thank the majority of our customers who use it responsibly.''

Mr Anjum said that Asda should implement a barrier system to stop customers being caught out in the future.

He said: “If Asda were actually sincere about what they’re doing with the Brighton Marina branch, all they have to do is put a barrier at the entrance so at times when the store is closed and they don’t want people parking there, just close the barrier. No one can get in, end of story.”