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Restaurant Parking Charges: Diners Should Not Be Penalised

Restaurant parking charges typically arise when diners exceed a car park time limit that is too short for the time it takes to have a meal. Many restaurants are located in retail parks or shared car parks with strict ANPR-enforced time limits that do not account for the length of a sit-down meal.

Received a parking charge at a restaurant parking? Many restaurant parking parking charges can be challenged on grounds including inadequate signage, POFA 2012 non-compliance, and mitigating circumstances.

  • --You were a genuine customer dining at the restaurant -- the car park's intended use
  • --The time limit is unreasonably short for a sit-down restaurant meal
  • --The restaurant (landowner or tenant) does not support charges against diners
  • --The charge is disproportionate to any loss from a customer dining slightly over the limit

Key Advice for Restaurant Parking Charges

  1. Keep your restaurant receipt showing the time and duration of your meal
  2. Ask the restaurant for a letter confirming you were a customer
  3. Note the car park time limit and compare it with typical meal durations
  4. Photograph all signage, especially any mentioning time limits for restaurant users
  5. Contact the restaurant management to request their support with the operator

Why Restaurant Parking Charges Happen

  • The car park time limit is shorter than a typical restaurant meal
  • Waiting for a table added time beyond the parking limit
  • Combining a restaurant visit with pre- or post-dinner shopping
  • Not realising the restaurant car park has a separate time limit from the restaurant
  • ANPR recording entry from an earlier visit in the same day
  • Confusion between the restaurant's own parking and a shared car park

Parking Companies at Restaurant Sites

See our parking company guides for detailed information on appealing to specific operators.

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Defence Arguments for Restaurant Parking Charges

  • You were a genuine customer dining at the restaurant -- the car park's intended use
  • The time limit is unreasonably short for a sit-down restaurant meal
  • The restaurant (landowner or tenant) does not support charges against diners
  • The charge is disproportionate to any loss from a customer dining slightly over the limit
  • Signage did not make the time limit clear to restaurant customers
  • The grace period was not applied
  • The Beavis case is distinguishable because the time limit was unreasonable for the service provided

Your Rights

As a restaurant customer, you are using the car park for its intended purpose. A time limit that is too short for the average meal is unreasonable. Contact the restaurant directly -- many will support your appeal or contact the operator on your behalf. You have the right to appeal and defend any court claim.

What You Should Do

  1. 1.Keep your restaurant receipt showing the time and duration of your meal
  2. 2.Ask the restaurant for a letter confirming you were a customer
  3. 3.Note the car park time limit and compare it with typical meal durations
  4. 4.Photograph all signage, especially any mentioning time limits for restaurant users
  5. 5.Contact the restaurant management to request their support with the operator
  6. 6.If the restaurant is part of a chain, contact their head office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appeal a restaurant parking parking charge?

Yes. All private parking charges can be appealed. You should first appeal directly to the parking operator, then escalate to POPLA or the IAS if your appeal is rejected. These independent appeals services are free to use and their decisions are binding on the operator but not on you.

Who manages parking at restaurant parkings?

Parking at restaurant parkings is typically managed by private parking operators such as ParkingEye, Euro Car Parks, APCOA, or Smart Parking, depending on the site. The operator's name will be shown on the parking charge notice and on signage at the car park.

What are the best defence arguments for restaurant parking parking charges?

Common defence arguments include inadequate or unclear signage, POFA 2012 non-compliance (such as late service of the Notice to Keeper), mitigating circumstances specific to restaurant parking visits, ANPR camera errors, and disproportionate charges under ParkingEye v Beavis [2015] UKSC 67.

Will a restaurant parking parking charge go to court?

Most restaurant parking parking charges do not reach court. Operators typically send debt collection letters as a pressure tactic, but only a small proportion of charges result in county court claims. If a claim is issued, you have 14 days to acknowledge it and 28 days to file a defence. A well-drafted defence often leads to the claim being discontinued.

How long do I have to appeal a restaurant parking parking charge?

You typically have 28 days from the date of the parking charge notice to appeal to the operator. If your appeal is rejected, you then have a further 28 days to escalate to the independent appeals service (POPLA for BPA members, IAS for IPC members). You should appeal promptly to preserve your rights.

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