Lidl challenged to pay out over parking tickets

Lidl challenged to pay out over parking tickets

5 March 2014

A LEADING retailer may pay fines running into thousands of pounds which have been levied on people using its car park in Downpatrick.

Lidl has confirmed it is reviewing 179 parking fines issued to people using the Lower Market Street facility since new parking restrictions were introduced six months ago.

The review aims to ascertain how many of the fines were issued after the store had closed for the evening at 9pm. The company says depending on the volume of fines which relate to this period, they may write them off.

Lidl has come in for stern criticism about its new parking arrangements in Downpatrick from councillors Cadogan Enright, Colin McGrath and Patsy Toman.

Councillor Enright said he has been informed that once the fines relating to the Downpatrick car park have been reviewed, a recommendation on what to do about those issued after the store had closed will be made to its management board.

Under the new arrangements, people can park for a maximum of 100 minutes, but there is anger that drivers who parked at the store after it had closed for the evening were issued with £100 fines.

Councillor Enright highlighted the case of one woman who parked at Lidl’s car park at 10.50pm, leaving her car for almost two hours, only to end up with a £100 fine. He said he is also aware of other similar cases.

“People who use this car park after the store has closed should not be fined,” he declared. “I very much welcome the company’s review of the fines which have been issued and hope those which relate to after 9pm will be waived.

“It’s my understanding that large numbers of people received fines for parking at this car park at night, assuming parking enforcement did not apply when the store was closed. Lidl have informed me this is the case and is one of the reasons it is reviewing the fines which have been issued.”

Councillor Enright said Lidl has also informed him that it will review its contract with the private care park operator in Downpatrick to ensure fines are not imposed on those who use the car park outside store opening hours.

Councillor McGrath said it’s his understanding that the parking fines issued to people using the Lidl car park relate to day and night time and confirmed he plans to raise concerns expressed to him on the issue with the Consumer Council.

“People who are being hit with huge fines are in many cases low-paid workers, but no cognisance is taken of this fact. Signs have been put up warning people about the new parking regime but I believe Lidl should have done more to make the public fully aware of this,” he declared.

“If Lidl is truly interested in customer care it would pay all the fines and start afresh. Make people aware of the parking rules in force at the car park so this issue does not arise again and people will not leave vehicles any longer than they are allowed to.”

Councillor Toman said one man who contacted him parked his car at the Lidl store before boarding a bus to visit his sick wife in a Belfast hospital.

“Almost two weeks later, the man received a parking fine of £100, but was told the amount would be reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days,” he explained. “I am very concerned at the situation which has arisen and the that the private company which issued the parking fine has access to Driver and Vehicle Agency information.”