Is this a car-park 'rule' as mad as I think it is?
Discussion
Just wondering what you guys think of this 'parking situation'.
The below pic is Sears Retail Park in Shirley [near Solihull]. I grabbed the pic from their website. I've added the yellow circles and numbers to highlight the 'issue'!
Mid December, 9am[ish], my Wife parked in the car-park outside Smyths and Lidl [circle 2, carpark not drawn on this map]. She first popped into Boots and then Smyths to buy a couple of Xmas presents. All done and left the retail park within 30 mins.
A few weeks later she received a parking fine for 'leaving the site'. This obviously confused the hell out of us as she went into two of the stores [listed on the Sears Park website as Sears Park stores], and left/drove to get to her office for a 10am meeting.
So, after a bit of research on Google/Facebook and reading the parking sign t&c's on a photo the parking company so kindly sent us, it appears if you park in car-park 2, you can only shop in Smyths and Lidl. We've been shopping at this retail park for years and I'm pretty certain this wasn't always the case.
Anyway, as the parking sign does have this 'condition', we will likely have to pay the fine, even though my Wife shopped in Smyths...it was the fact she walked over to Boots [a massive 100ish meters away] means she 'left the site'!
Am I alone is thinking this is balmy? To expect customers who want to shop in Smyths/Lidl and then maybe M&S or Boots [all Sears Park stores] to have to get back in their car and drive a matter of meters to re-park?! Have you guys come across similar?
In a day and age that we are encouraged not to get into our cars, a parking rule that creates more traffic and more pollution seems somewhat odd. I'd expect 99.9% of people visiting the retail park would expect to be able to park in any of the car-parks and go into any of the Sears Park stores. I'm guessing the parking company are dishing out fines for this same reason like hot-cakes!!
And don't get me started on the area I've marked with the number 3. Over there is a Halfords, PC World, B&Q etc. Since looking into this, we've realised this is a totally separate retail park [called Solihull Retail Park I believe], so if you want to visit Lidl, M&S and Halfords, you'd have to park in three car-parks. Mad no?!
The below pic is Sears Retail Park in Shirley [near Solihull]. I grabbed the pic from their website. I've added the yellow circles and numbers to highlight the 'issue'!
Mid December, 9am[ish], my Wife parked in the car-park outside Smyths and Lidl [circle 2, carpark not drawn on this map]. She first popped into Boots and then Smyths to buy a couple of Xmas presents. All done and left the retail park within 30 mins.
A few weeks later she received a parking fine for 'leaving the site'. This obviously confused the hell out of us as she went into two of the stores [listed on the Sears Park website as Sears Park stores], and left/drove to get to her office for a 10am meeting.
So, after a bit of research on Google/Facebook and reading the parking sign t&c's on a photo the parking company so kindly sent us, it appears if you park in car-park 2, you can only shop in Smyths and Lidl. We've been shopping at this retail park for years and I'm pretty certain this wasn't always the case.
Anyway, as the parking sign does have this 'condition', we will likely have to pay the fine, even though my Wife shopped in Smyths...it was the fact she walked over to Boots [a massive 100ish meters away] means she 'left the site'!
Am I alone is thinking this is balmy? To expect customers who want to shop in Smyths/Lidl and then maybe M&S or Boots [all Sears Park stores] to have to get back in their car and drive a matter of meters to re-park?! Have you guys come across similar?
In a day and age that we are encouraged not to get into our cars, a parking rule that creates more traffic and more pollution seems somewhat odd. I'd expect 99.9% of people visiting the retail park would expect to be able to park in any of the car-parks and go into any of the Sears Park stores. I'm guessing the parking company are dishing out fines for this same reason like hot-cakes!!
And don't get me started on the area I've marked with the number 3. Over there is a Halfords, PC World, B&Q etc. Since looking into this, we've realised this is a totally separate retail park [called Solihull Retail Park I believe], so if you want to visit Lidl, M&S and Halfords, you'd have to park in three car-parks. Mad no?!
I think some of them use facial recognition to track your movements.
I recall parking in a similar setup in west Scotland - where exactly I don't recall as they all look the same. It was one fast food place in a retail park that had its own car park with warning signs, but aside from some kerbs and the signs it was indistinguishable to the rest of the retail park.
To the OP, I think you can appeal as most of these fines (invoices) are non-compliant with legislation. The appeal will be rejected as a matter of course but you can further appeal to a tribunal. If you Google for FTLA forum (Pepipoo successor) there's guidance and templates.
I recall parking in a similar setup in west Scotland - where exactly I don't recall as they all look the same. It was one fast food place in a retail park that had its own car park with warning signs, but aside from some kerbs and the signs it was indistinguishable to the rest of the retail park.
To the OP, I think you can appeal as most of these fines (invoices) are non-compliant with legislation. The appeal will be rejected as a matter of course but you can further appeal to a tribunal. If you Google for FTLA forum (Pepipoo successor) there's guidance and templates.
The shopping centre parking thing has gotten out of hand. I get that the companies tasked with managing it are out to maximise profit (the duty of every company) but it's too easy to fall foul.
I must be one of the few persons who read the T&C of every car park I visit. I drive a Ford Ranger and you'll be amazed how many sites have "old fashioned" weight limits.
I must be one of the few persons who read the T&C of every car park I visit. I drive a Ford Ranger and you'll be amazed how many sites have "old fashioned" weight limits.
BUG4LIFE said:
Just wondering what you guys think of this 'parking situation'.
The below pic is Sears Retail Park in Shirley [near Solihull]. I grabbed the pic from their website. I've added the yellow circles and numbers to highlight the 'issue'!
Mid December, 9am[ish], my Wife parked in the car-park outside Smyths and Lidl [circle 2, carpark not drawn on this map]. She first popped into Boots and then Smyths to buy a couple of Xmas presents. All done and left the retail park within 30 mins.
A few weeks later she received a parking fine for 'leaving the site'. This obviously confused the hell out of us as she went into two of the stores [listed on the Sears Park website as Sears Park stores], and left/drove to get to her office for a 10am meeting.
So, after a bit of research on Google/Facebook and reading the parking sign t&c's on a photo the parking company so kindly sent us, it appears if you park in car-park 2, you can only shop in Smyths and Lidl. We've been shopping at this retail park for years and I'm pretty certain this wasn't always the case.
Anyway, as the parking sign does have this 'condition', we will likely have to pay the fine, even though my Wife shopped in Smyths...it was the fact she walked over to Boots [a massive 100ish meters away] means she 'left the site'!
Am I alone is thinking this is balmy? To expect customers who want to shop in Smyths/Lidl and then maybe M&S or Boots [all Sears Park stores] to have to get back in their car and drive a matter of meters to re-park?! Have you guys come across similar?
In a day and age that we are encouraged not to get into our cars, a parking rule that creates more traffic and more pollution seems somewhat odd. I'd expect 99.9% of people visiting the retail park would expect to be able to park in any of the car-parks and go into any of the Sears Park stores. I'm guessing the parking company are dishing out fines for this same reason like hot-cakes!!
And don't get me started on the area I've marked with the number 3. Over there is a Halfords, PC World, B&Q etc. Since looking into this, we've realised this is a totally separate retail park [called Solihull Retail Park I believe], so if you want to visit Lidl, M&S and Halfords, you'd have to park in three car-parks. Mad no?!
Smyths and Lidl is not part of the retail park and is owned by a different landlord, as such they don't want people parking in their car park, not using their stores and just shopping in the rest of the retail park.The below pic is Sears Retail Park in Shirley [near Solihull]. I grabbed the pic from their website. I've added the yellow circles and numbers to highlight the 'issue'!
Mid December, 9am[ish], my Wife parked in the car-park outside Smyths and Lidl [circle 2, carpark not drawn on this map]. She first popped into Boots and then Smyths to buy a couple of Xmas presents. All done and left the retail park within 30 mins.
A few weeks later she received a parking fine for 'leaving the site'. This obviously confused the hell out of us as she went into two of the stores [listed on the Sears Park website as Sears Park stores], and left/drove to get to her office for a 10am meeting.
So, after a bit of research on Google/Facebook and reading the parking sign t&c's on a photo the parking company so kindly sent us, it appears if you park in car-park 2, you can only shop in Smyths and Lidl. We've been shopping at this retail park for years and I'm pretty certain this wasn't always the case.
Anyway, as the parking sign does have this 'condition', we will likely have to pay the fine, even though my Wife shopped in Smyths...it was the fact she walked over to Boots [a massive 100ish meters away] means she 'left the site'!
Am I alone is thinking this is balmy? To expect customers who want to shop in Smyths/Lidl and then maybe M&S or Boots [all Sears Park stores] to have to get back in their car and drive a matter of meters to re-park?! Have you guys come across similar?
In a day and age that we are encouraged not to get into our cars, a parking rule that creates more traffic and more pollution seems somewhat odd. I'd expect 99.9% of people visiting the retail park would expect to be able to park in any of the car-parks and go into any of the Sears Park stores. I'm guessing the parking company are dishing out fines for this same reason like hot-cakes!!
And don't get me started on the area I've marked with the number 3. Over there is a Halfords, PC World, B&Q etc. Since looking into this, we've realised this is a totally separate retail park [called Solihull Retail Park I believe], so if you want to visit Lidl, M&S and Halfords, you'd have to park in three car-parks. Mad no?!
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Strangely Brown said:
So how did they know that your wife left the retail park to shop at a different store?
It's common to have CCTV or wardens checking for this very thing. OP, it's tough (nay ridiculous) given the proximity. I wonder what Boots have to say about it?
JQ said:
Smyths and Lidl is not part of the retail park and is owned by a different landlord, as such they don't want people parking in their car park, not using their stores and just shopping in the rest of the retail park.
Yes they are. The huge sign that lists the stores includes Smyths and Lidl. The postal address for Smyths says Sears Retail Park. That area might be owned by a different landlord but who the hell would check that before visiting?!JQ said:
Smyths and Lidl is not part of the retail park and is owned by a different landlord, as such they don't want people parking in their car park, not using their stores and just shopping in the rest of the retail park.
I can see how many customers would be unaware of the distinction.
Dave _ said:
It’s underhand, but I’m not sure I’d have thought they were all one car park as there is a road between them.
That road is just to get in and around the site. It's not a road you'd use is you weren't visiting the retail park, so not a 'real' road [if that makes sense]. As I mention above, the big sign outside says Smyths and Lidl are in Sears Retail Park, so why would a punter expect to have to change car-park to use all/any of those shops? Edited by BUG4LIFE on Friday 3rd January 16:41
essayer said:
So you’re expected to drive to one car park, go to Boots, then drive to the other car park literally metres away to go shop in Smyths?
every cretin involved in setting up and enforcing this arrangement should be fired into space
Yes.every cretin involved in setting up and enforcing this arrangement should be fired into space
Actually, what I don't know is, if you park in car-park 1 [Boots side], would you be fined for visiting Lidl/Smyths? My Wife did it the other way round, parking in number 2 and walking to Boots.
We will be emailing Sears Park to let them know about this mad 'arrangement'. Not that they'll care!
Edited by BUG4LIFE on Friday 3rd January 16:44
egomeister said:
Pretty wild if they are tracking you back to your vehicle using facial recognition.
Being familiar with where you are talking about, I am watching with interest as its bad enough having different rules for the "B&Q side" and the "M&S side".
Is there the tech to do this...for something like parking?!?!Being familiar with where you are talking about, I am watching with interest as its bad enough having different rules for the "B&Q side" and the "M&S side".
I would have walked from Halfords to Smyths to Next etc countless times over the years, while leaving my car in one car-park. Not sure I'll bother to shop there if I have to keep re-parking. Harding a good plan to encourage people to visit such sites!!
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