Tesco Introducing Penalty Charges

[Sidewinder]

Just a quick question out of interest.....

 

Our local Tesco has just installed what look like the 'Specs' cameras (ANPR?) at the entrance and exit to their car park and outside the store is a sign which warns that from February they will be monitoring use of the car park. The sign is along the lines that as people complain that they often cannot find a parking space close to the store, with effect from 5th February they will be limiting the time people are permitted to park there to 3 hours and that those who overstay may be subject to a penalty charge.

 

Not likely to affect too many people, although I guess that some shoppers use Tesco then walk to the neighbouring shops on the retail park as it is easier than trying to find a space there, so in that respect perhaps Tesco feel entitled to try to stop this happening. I just wondered what the legality is of Tesco a) gathering number plate details and b) issuing penalty charge notices?

 

As far as I am aware Tesco own the land so can presumably impose terms on those who use it, but unless they have access to the DVLA database I would imagine that they will use an outside parking contractor to handle infingements.

 

I also wonder what they will do about staff cars, as many of the spaces closest to the store are taken by workers....

[Dani]

Can't answer most of your questions but the one about the staff...

 

My dad works for Sainsburys and he has had to give them his licence plate number so they know it's his car that is parked there for longer than 3 hours. I only remember because he was going to use my car once to go to work but couldn't because of this.

[bottomburp]

deleted

[Neville145]

As someone that works for Tesco, they have introduced it to cut down on people abusing the system. ie parking cos its free and walking off to other places such as train stations, work and other shops.

 

They do have access to the DVLA database so if you do go over the limit then you will get a letter.

 

I went to another store who has this installed. Two weeks later I had a letter informing me I was over.

 

The first letter you get is a warning letter. Further letters are penalties.

 

Neville.

[patdavies]

 

The first letter you get is a warning letter. Further letters are penalties.

 

 

 

None of which is enforceable against the registered keeper as this is private parking.

 

Just ignore the whole thing.

[MARTIN3030]

My local store has operated this for some time.

Tickets are also issued for parking in disabled bays.

(although I have never seen them more than 50% full of legitimate users not even at Chrismas)

 

I actually made a complaint to Tesco because they were not in compliance of the data protection act by siting warning notices near their cameras giving also the details of the data controllers on them.

They quickly remedied that.

 

I understand that revenue from the fines is donated to charity so with that it does lessen the anguish,and I reckon three hours is ample for most people to do their shopping.....I dont stay in there for a minute longer than I have to !

[Sidewinder]

The signs were put up over last weekend - there are plenty of them and I agree that for most people 3 hours will be plenty. As with your store's scheme, Tesco say that they will obtain details from the DVLA and will pass any penalty charges to their charity of the year.

[MARTIN3030]

Fair enough:D

[patdavies]

Tesco say that they will obtain details from the DVLA and will pass any penalty charges to their charity of the year.

 

For those stupid enough to pay them