Yep Farnborough for me too. Looks like local rag and MP on to this now. The signs are not effective enough, and UKPC are playing on it to get people who are used to the flexibility of parking.

the above post was on the main headline in the above local newspaper

local press and MP aware of UKPC's 'practices' : CAR FINES 'A CHEAT' - Surrey Hants Star I would like to know if there is a government agency that regulates these companies. I am also pretty peeved the DVLA is passing on details of the public to such an organisation.

yes Solartron. yes Maplins and I often go in there. Info would be good thanks. The signs must have gone up recently and I think they are very hard to spot. Intentionally. In the past people are used to going to Maplins / MFI whatever and then wandering over to B&Q. I think they are going to catch a lot of people that do not deserve it because the signs are much too small. I can understand they do not want people leaving their car for hours but I was gone for about 15 minutes from the site, what's their problem? £45 is a nasty shock for people not realising what they have done.

Got hit by UKPC. It's a retail park which me and my girlfriend park in. We went into the stores the car park is directly for. She wanted to browse more in them. I got bored went back to the car and then decided to pop to the next retail nearby park on foot. Went back to the car, and then off to another spot to get some cash out. It's the kind of thing I've done now and then from that car park in the past. There's always loads of spaces and I've felt the freedom and flexibility of parking they give is designed to attract people to park there and use the stores. There are no fences on the car park (also means its easy to miss the signs and walk off) and people do leave the car park on foot to pop back a bit later. People were doing it that day. Got back to the car to find a ticket for £45 (to double if not paid). Turns out there are some poorly placed signs been put up recently (high up lamposts and stuff like that) and UKPC now control the car park - and one of the clauses says that the owner of the vehicle cannot leave the site. UKPC are waiting to spot you walk off site and smack you. Supposed to be a nice Sunday outing, turns into a horrible experience and hit by some psuedo big brother of dodgy legality. As far as I am concerned it has always been a car park which let you park with plenty of free parking. I would never knowingly not pay to park when I must - and why would i risk such a fine? This car park is not a pay one even now. What's their problem? Why enforce this? It's just pure profiteering. I've never seen such restriction of movement placed on customers who are obviously using the stores. A part of me thinks pay up because I do not want the stress of this dragging on with these bullies, but I also think it is a lot of money to pay, and I think they manufacture it so people get caught (e.g the poor signs). So not happy. Seem to be some experts on here in dealing with this bunch, any recommendations / easy solutions? Also is there anyone actually regulating the kind of signs put up in these car park, the size of the fines, and the shady processes of these racketeers? Or is it up to us comsumers to band together to try and get someone to hear? I understand parking should be controlled but it seems like these companies exploit and frighten decent people, and profit from it. Really makes you worry where you can park these days without someone smacking you for some technicality. Does any one have their address so I can write to them to punch them with my disattisfaction before they send their letters? Or maybe I should wait not bring attention to myself and hope they forget?

Got hit by UKPC. It's a retail park which me and my girlfriend park in. We went into the stores the car park is directly for. She wanted to browse more in them. I got bored went back to the car and then decided to pop to the next retail nearby park on foot. Went back to the car, and then off to another spot to get some cash out. It's the kind of thing I've done now and then from that car park in the past. There's always loads of spaces and I've felt the freedom and flexibility of parking they give is designed to attract people to park there and use the stores. There are no fences on the car park (also means its easy to miss the signs and walk off) and people do leave the car park on foot to pop back a bit later. People were doing it that day. Got back to the car to find a ticket for £45 (to double if not paid). Turns out there are some poorly placed signs been put up recently (high up lamposts and stuff like that) and UKPC now control the car park - and one of the clauses says that the owner of the vehicle cannot leave the site. UKPC are waiting to spot you walk off site and smack you. Supposed to be a nice Sunday outing, turns into a horrible experience and hit by some psuedo big brother of dodgy legality. As far as I am concerned it has always been a car park which let you park with plenty of free parking. I would never knowingly not pay to park when I must - and why would i risk such a fine? This car park is not a pay one even now. What's their problem? Why enforce this? It's just pure profiteering. I've never seen such restriction of movement placed on customers who are obviously using the stores. A part of me thinks pay up because I do not want the stress of this dragging on with these bullies and let them get to me by thinking about them any more, but I also think it is a lot of money to pay, and I think they manufacture it so people get caught (e.g the poor signs). So not happy. Seem to be some experts on here in dealing with this bunch, any recommendations / easy solutions? Also is there anyone actually regulating the kind of signs put up in these car park, the size of the fines, and the shady processes of these racketeers? Or is it up to us comsumers to band together to try and get someone to hear? I understand parking should be controlled but it seems like these companies exploit and frighten decent people, and profit from it. Really makes you worry where you can park these days without someone smacking you for some technicality. Doctor Sinister I just read your post and I think it's the same car park as you. Do you have the address to write too as like you I thought the best policy was possibly to write to them asap too, and the best template to use.