Range parking fury rumbles on as shoppers fined for returning items

Since the Range opened on Chalon Way in 2012, there have been constant complaints about the parking charges and rules on the private car park.

Outsourced to a private contractor, the car park's rules and charges were put in place to stop people using the town centre car park who do not intend to shop in the store.

However, rather than benefitting those who shop at the Range, the parking charges have often stung customers who were merely returning or picking up items they saw in store.

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The Range car park has been an ongoing complaint for years in the town centre (Image: St Helens Star)

As stated on parking signs on Chalon Way, customers are entitled to a two-hour stay at the Range car park but are not allowed to return within one hour of leaving.

Parkingeye, a private firm that operates the car park, states that these rules are in place to "prevent long stay parking abuse" and ensure that enough spaces are available for all customers.

However, the car park is a frequent frustration for Range shoppers as customers often forget or are not aware of these strict rules and are hit with a £100 fine when they return or change an item within an hour.

One resident returned 58 minutes later to pick something she saw in store (Image: Contributed)

It's a story that continually irritates those in town, with a social media post attracting more than 200 comments this month, as a shopper returned 58 minutes after her first visit to pick something up that she saw while in store.

Another resident contacted the Star this week about the same issue, as his son returned to the Range to change an item 54 minutes later.

Both residents expressed their frustration about the fine, as they returned to the Range just minutes before the hour deadline and were on the car park for well below the two hour maximum stay.

Those issued with parking charge notices are supposed to receive them either at the time of the incident, or within 14 days, and both shoppers received their fines after this time frame.

Parkingeye says that the fines are reduced to £60 if shoppers pay online, but both residents explain that it doesn't state this in their letter - and added that it has been extremely difficult to contact the firm to contest and appeal the claim. 

A second resident was fined £100 for returning to change an item 54 minutes later (Image: Contributed)

Reporting on a similar story in February 2022, the Star reported that the government was looking at making changes to private car parks last year.

This included proposals to introduce signs that had to display prices more clearly, introduce a fairer system for appeals, cap charges from £100 to £50, and give drivers a grace period for lateness.

This Code of Practice has not yet been rolled out, but the Government is continuing to review evidence in relation to rogue and private car parking firms, with the aim of introducing a fairer system in legislation.

Parkingeye say that the rules prevent long stay parking abuse (Image: Google Maps)

Speaking about the recent issues at the Range, a Parkingeye spokesperson said: “The car park at Chalon Way West Retail Park in St Helens features prominent and highly-visible signs providing information on how to use the car park responsibly.

“The guidance has been in place since February 2022 and advises customers of the retail park that they are entitled to a 2-hour maximum stay with no return within 1 hour.

“The rules are in place to prevent long-stay parking abuse and ensure that spaces are available for customers visiting the retail park.

"Both motorists received a parking charge due to returning within one hour. Neither motorist has appealed at this stage and each of them still have the option to pay the reduced rate of £60 through the online payment platform on our website.

“We would add that Parkingeye operates a BPA (British Parking Association) audited appeals process, which motorists can use to appeal their Parking Charge. If anyone has mitigating circumstances, we would encourage them to highlight this by appealing.”