People should be more aware of so-called fines given out by private parking companies.

These are not fines, but invoices dressed up to look official and scary. They will say by entering the car park you are somehow agreeing to a contract, something very hard for them to prove in court.

It is part of any planning for stores to provide free car parking, regardless of how long they think you should stay there. They have no more right giving you a ticket than you do giving your neigbour a ticket for parking in front of your house.

You are not obliged to give them any money. You have not bought anything from them, damaged their property or signed a legal contract. It is up to them to prove otherwise.

The best way is to ignore them and all the threatening letters. They will threaten bailiffs and court proceedings, but to date, as far as I know, there has not been one case won by a private parking company.

I heard of only two ever going to court, with the parking company losing both.

There is plenty of advice on the internet on how to avoid paying these people, with many template letters available. It is time to stop this legalised theft.

I would advise you to make sure you have not parked in a pay-and-display area, or contravened the Road Traffic Act, though.

My advice only applies to free-to-enter car parks.

Peter Griggs
Bellfield Avenue
Brightlingsea