Five-Minute Fury: Parking Firm's £11,000 Fine Backfires Spectacularly

A parking firm's aggressive enforcement of a "pay within five minutes" rule has resulted in a staggering £11,000 fine for a young driver, only to be dramatically overturned in court, with the company now facing over £10,000 in costs. Hannah Robinson, 21, found herself embroiled in a legal battle with Excel Parking after accumulating 67 parking charge notices at Feethams Leisure car park in Darlington. The fines, each initially £100, ballooned to £11,390 with added debt collection fees, Daily Dazzling Dawn understand.

Robinson, who worked at a restaurant above the car park, consistently paid for parking but frequently encountered issues with poor phone signal and a malfunctioning payment app, leading to delays beyond the firm’s strict five-minute window. Initially, she paid the fines out of fear, but the mounting charges eventually became unsustainable.

"I worked unsociable hours, finishing late at night, and it was the safest option for me," Robinson explained, highlighting the difficult position she was in. Despite paying when she could, the technical issues continued to plague her, resulting in a barrage of fines.

Excel Parking escalated the situation by taking Robinson to court, but a judge ultimately dismissed their claim, instead ordering the company to pay £10,240.10 in costs to charity. This decision has brought immense relief to Robinson, who described the ordeal as "extremely stressful and frustrating."

"A massive weight has been lifted from my shoulders," she said, expressing satisfaction that Excel Parking was now experiencing the distress they had inflicted upon her.

Robinson's grandmother, Adrienne Atkin, was appalled by the company’s actions. "I couldn't believe the amount and I couldn't believe a company could do that," she stated, emphasizing the undue stress placed on her granddaughter.

This case echoes previous complaints about Excel Parking's practices, with motorists in Derby also reporting issues with the firm's rigid time constraints. Despite the court's ruling, Excel Parking has indicated its intention to appeal the judgment, suggesting this parking saga is far from over.