Pensioner warns of ‘fraudulent car park operators’ in Cornwall

A pensioner has spoken out against “fraudulent car park operators” after she was issued with a parking charge notice despite paying to park for 10 hours. Jean Bennett drove from her home in Saltash to Millendreath, just outside Looe, to enjoy her favorite beach in glorious sunshine.

On May 10, Jean, who is awaiting triple heart bypass surgery, paid £6 which allowed them to stay for 10 hours – but five days later she received a letter from car park operator Premier Park asking for £100 or £60. if he paid quickly. “It was the day I was told I would have to go to Derriford for a triple heart bypass, which was a shock,” Jean said. “I was there for maybe three hours but I paid £6 for 10 hours. I don’t understand why they still asked us for more money”.

The 77-year-old said she called PCN from the parking company, explaining the problems with the car on site, the late payment and the stressful news she had received that day. She said the company would not wave the PCN but agreed to reduce it to £20 which Jean paid.

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Premier Park, which has a registered address in Exeter, operates the Millendreath Beach Resort car park on May Lane. They said Jean received a PCN for not paying for the length of her stay – which shows 3h35min from 1.43pm to 5.18pm that day – even though her daughter Jacqui paid £6 electronically and has the bank statement to prove it this thing.

Jean added: “I shouldn’t have paid because I think what they’re doing is fraud, but I couldn’t hang that on me while I’m waiting to go to hospital. It’s too stressful right now. But I wonder. how can what i do be legal.

“They must make so much money from people like me who panic and don’t argue or want hassle and pay when they shouldn’t have to. “I want other people to be aware of what’s going on at That Place. I also hope that one day these parking companies will be held accountable.”

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Jean is not the only day tripper or vacationer who has been caught on the site. Many people have commented on TripAdvisor and Parkopedia where you can rate parking spaces with your own opinions on the site.

One driver wrote: “Yes I paid in cash but got a fine notice two weeks later saying I didn’t pay. In the future, if I pay in a car park with cash, I will photograph the tickets.” One tourist added: “I arrived around 5.30pm on Sunday. I paid £20 for a ‘week’. One would assume that this exorbitant sum would see me through until I leave the following Sunday – nope!

“The ticket expires on Saturday at 21.59. Then you have to pay £2 for an overnight charge, then another £6.50 to get to the week I thought I originally paid for. I’m absolutely furious, I’m gone. a message with Premier Park ltd but they have not received a reply, mind you.

Andrew T on TripAdvisor called it a ‘predatory car park’, adding: ‘The beach and surrounding area are lovely but please be extremely careful with the car park run by the prime car park. I was sent a parking ticket, but this is the first I’ve heard of it. It was an aggressive letter from a debt collection agency wanting £170. Apparently I didn’t buy a ticket straight away on arrival while I was changing in the car Please don’t get caught, that really put me off going back.”

Sharon S from Bristol added: “The beach is lovely but the let down is the parking. If you stay even a minute longer than you paid for, they fine you £100. It is not easy to buy a ticket because there is none. signal and signage about charging hours is unclear.”

We have asked for a comment from Premier Park.