Parkingeye issues statement on ‘ridiculous’ parking fines at Bristol retail park

A parking enforcement company has responded to shoppers’ concerns after a string of fines were issued over parking at Imperial Retail Park in Hartcliffe. Parkingeye manages the huge car park and uses cameras at the two entrances to monitor usage.

But the company has come under criticism after dozens of £100 fines were given to shoppers for returning to the car park within two hours of leaving. Rules displayed on signs restrict motorists to four hours’ stay, with ‘no return within two hours’.

However, it is believed that the ‘no return’ aspect has only recently been enforced - and that’s hit shoppers who say they find themselves in situations when they want to return to the centre, such as if they’ve forgotten an item from one of the many shops which include B&M, The Range and B&Q.

Stevie Worgan, aged 28, was issued with a parking fine for re-entering the car park 10 minutes after leaving on a day back in March. She described enforcement of the rule as ‘absolutely ridiculous’ - and was able to get the fine cancelled after contacting Imperial Retail Park’s security team.

BristolWorld contacted Parkingeye on the situation yesterday (April 16) - and the Lancashire-based firm responded today. In a statement, a spokesperson said: “The car park at Imperial Retail Park features prominent and highly-visible signs providing information on how to use the car park responsibly.

“The guidance has been in place since 2019 and advises customers of the retail park that they are entitled to a four-hour maximum stay with no return within two hours.

“The rules are in place to prevent long-stay parking abuse and ensure that spaces are available for customers visiting the retail park.

“We would add that Parkingeye operates a BPA (British Parking Association) audited appeals process, which motorists can use to appeal their Parking Charge. If anyone has mitigating circumstances, we would encourage them to highlight this by appealing.”

When asked if the company had started enforcing the ‘no return’ part of the parking restriction, the spokesperson said they were unaware of a change. And on people getting their fines cancelled by Imperial Retail Park, they said that was down to the retail park.

A member of the retail park’s security team had told BristolWorld yesterday that they were aware of an increase in fines - and they were cancelling many while attempting to resolve the situation.

Real estate investors Capreon bought the retail park, along with Fife Central Retail Park, from Hammerson in 2018. BristolWorld has attempted to make contact with Capreon over the fines issued.