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Supermarket Parking Charges: Your Rights and How to Fight

Supermarket parking charges have become increasingly common as retailers use private parking operators with ANPR cameras to manage their car parks. Charges are typically issued for overstaying a time limit, which can catch out shoppers who combine a supermarket visit with other errands, wait in long queues, or visit adjacent shops in the same retail park.

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

  • •The time limit was not clearly displayed or was obscured
  • •ANPR data is unreliable. Cameras may have missed your exit and re-entry
  • •You were a genuine customer using the car park for its intended purpose
  • •The time limit is unreasonably short for the services available

Key Advice for Supermarket Parking Charges

  1. Keep your supermarket receipt as proof you were a genuine customer
  2. Note the time on your receipt and compare with the alleged entry/exit times
  3. Take photos of all signage, particularly if time limits are not clear
  4. Check whether the supermarket has a policy on cancelling charges for customers
  5. Contact the supermarket's head office or customer service to ask for support

Why Supermarket Parking Charges Happen

  • Overstaying the posted time limit (commonly 90 minutes or 2 hours)
  • ANPR camera recording entry but failing to record exit, creating a phantom overstay
  • Visiting multiple stores in a retail park and exceeding the combined time limit
  • Returning to the car park multiple times in one day
  • Not seeing or understanding the signage about time limits
  • Parking beyond the supermarket's designated area without realising

Parking Companies at Supermarket Sites

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

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Defence Arguments for Supermarket Parking Charges

  • The time limit was not clearly displayed or was obscured
  • ANPR data is unreliable. Cameras may have missed your exit and re-entry
  • You were a genuine customer using the car park for its intended purpose
  • The time limit is unreasonably short for the services available
  • The charge is disproportionate to any actual loss suffered by the landowner
  • The supermarket (landowner) does not support charges against genuine customers

Your Rights

As a customer of the supermarket, you have a legitimate reason to use the car park. The car park exists to serve customers, and the Beavis decision (which upheld charges in a similar retail context) was specific to its facts. If signage was unclear, if the time limit was unreasonable, or if the supermarket does not support the charges, you have strong grounds to challenge.

What You Should Do

  1. 1.Keep your supermarket receipt as proof you were a genuine customer
  2. 2.Note the time on your receipt and compare with the alleged entry/exit times
  3. 3.Take photos of all signage, particularly if time limits are not clear
  4. 4.Check whether the supermarket has a policy on cancelling charges for customers
  5. 5.Contact the supermarket's head office or customer service to ask for support
  6. 6.If the ANPR times seem wrong, challenge the accuracy of the evidence

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appeal a supermarket 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 supermarket parkings?

Parking at supermarket 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 supermarket 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 supermarket parking visits, ANPR camera errors, and disproportionate charges under ParkingEye v Beavis [2015] UKSC 67.

Will a supermarket parking parking charge go to court?

Most supermarket parking parking charges do not reach court. Operators typically send debt collection letters as a collection measure, 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 supermarket 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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