Morrisons Parking Fine – Do I have to Pay?
Have you received a Morrisons parking fine and are feeling unsure about whether to pay it or appeal? You’ve come to the right place. Every month, over 130,000 people visit our website to seek advice on fines and parking tickets.
In this article, we’ll provide clear and simple advice about:
- How parking at Morrisons works
- The meaning of a Parking Charge Notice
- The steps to take if you want to appeal a Morrisons parking fine
- Helpful tips on avoiding a Morrisons parking ticket
- The legal aspect of paying a parking charge notice
We know receiving a private parking fine can be really frustrating. But you might find comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. In fact, over 19,000 parking fines are issued each day in the UK1.
Don’t worry; we’re here to help you understand your options.
Not sure what to write in your parking appeal?
The form asks for contact details to deliver your free MoneyNerd template.
Add your notice details, reasons for disputing the charge and relevant evidence.
General information, not legal advice. Follow your notice’s instructions and deadlines; adapt the wording to your circumstances. No outcome is guaranteed.
Do You Have to Pay the Parking Fine?
If you have not kept to the Terms and Conditions of using a Morissons car park, the operator is allowed to send you the invoice. If you don’t pay, the company could take legal action to enforce the invoice and make you pay Morrisons car park charges. Alternatively, they could outsource the collection process to a debt collection agency2.
These companies don’t have additional legal powers to collect the debt, and they’re NOT bailiffs. So, you do run the risk of being taken to court if you don’t pay, but the fine isn’t enforced until a judge asks you to pay.
There is one alternative option, which doesn’t involve ignoring or paying the Parking Charge Notice. In many circumstances, you could appeal your Morrisons parking fine. This is an option that many people prefer, especially considering how common it is to be issued a parking fine unfairly.
POPLA is working hard to address issues that cause unfair parking fees. Main issues are often with technology and third party ticket issuers.3
Appeal Process Steps
If you want to appeal your Morrisons parking fine, it’s crucial to understand the steps involved. That’s why we’ve put together this table that explains the process. For more information, be sure to read our complete guide.
| When | Action |
|---|---|
| On receiving a council PCN | Read the notice, keep it, gather evidence and note all payment and challenge deadlines. |
| Windscreen or handed-to-driver PCN | An informal challenge may be available before the Notice to Owner. Early challenge can preserve a discount under the authority’s policy; 14 days is not a universal final appeal deadline. |
| Postal PCN or Notice to Owner | Normally make formal representations within 28 days as stated on the notice. Do not assume there is an extra informal stage. |
| Representations rejected | The Notice of Rejection explains how to appeal to the appropriate independent tribunal, normally within 28 days. |
| Appeal unsuccessful | Pay by the deadline given in the decision or obtain advice on any available review. Further statutory charges can follow if you do neither. |
| Other ticket type | Private parking charges and FPNs use different procedures; follow the actual notice. |
Further guidance: Traffic Penalty Tribunal; Citizens Advice.
What to include in your parking appeal
The form asks for contact details to deliver your free MoneyNerd template.
Include the notice reference, your reasons, supporting evidence and the action you want the issuer to take.
The correct process depends on the notice and where it was issued.
General information, not legal advice. Follow your notice’s instructions and deadlines; adapt the wording to your circumstances. No outcome is guaranteed.
What happens if You ignore the parking ticket?
As we’ve previously mentioned, you should not ignore a Parking Charge Notice because the issuer could do the following:
- Pass your details to a debt collection agency
- Start court proceedings against you to recover what’s owed
Although there is a chance the issuer won’t take you to court, it’s a risk that should be carefully considered.
If they win a court case, the judge will:
- Issue an order to pay
- Be asked to instruct bailiffs (enforcement officers) to recover the debt
The consequences of ignoring a Parking Charge Notice could lead to a default on your credit file. You’d have trouble getting further finance with a CCJ on your credit history.
That said, you have 30 days to settle a CCJ to avoid it remaining on your credit file for 6 years.
As we see it, the consequences of ignoring Morrisons parking fines could be far-reaching.
Can You talk to them about the parking charge?
Morrisons tell customers who want to discuss a Parking Charge Notice to call 0345611 6111 or to use this contact form for Morrisons parking charge assistance.
You may not want to delay dealing with the fine, especially when there is a time limit to appeal. And you can pay a reduced fine amount if you pay within the first two weeks!
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Consider sending an appeal
You can appeal a Morrisons car park fine by lodging an appeal to the car park operator who issued it.
Janine, our financial expert, advises to formally appeal a parking ticket within 28 days of receipt, providing evidence such as a photo of your car’s registration number if the PCN is incorrect.
Make sure you follow the parking fine appeals process at Morrisons.
Download our Parking Ticket Appeal letter template to give you a headstart writing your appeal.
Free parking appeal letter template
The form asks for contact details to deliver your free MoneyNerd template.
Explain what happened, why you dispute the charge and include relevant evidence.
General information, not legal advice. Follow your notice’s instructions and deadlines; adapt the wording to your circumstances. No outcome is guaranteed.
What evidence do You need to provide?
The more proof you can provide why an operator should cancel a Parking Charge Notice, the stronger your appeal could be.
The sort of evidence we suggest you gather is as follows:
- Witness statement (if possible)
- Photos of unclear parking signs and faded road markings
- Photo of a ticket you purchased to park
- Receipt from a breakdown service if your vehicle had broken down
- Photos of payment machines if they were out of order
Best excuses to appeal the car park fine
Valid reasons for parking fine appeal at Morrisons are those that are legitimate with good evidence to back them up. Of course, the best excuse possible is that the car park operator has made a mistake, such as stating you never shopped at Morrisons when you have a receipt to prove you did.
Other excuses that could get your ticket cancelled include:
- You broke down
- You were involved in a medical emergency
- You were within the grace period (see below!)
Prepare your parking appeal
The form asks for contact details to deliver your free MoneyNerd template.
Replace the examples with your own facts and check the recipient before sending.
General information, not legal advice. Follow your notice’s instructions and deadlines; adapt the wording to your circumstances. No outcome is guaranteed.
References
