Car parking fines at popular Preston bistro is putting customers off their lunch

Diners at The Ginger Bistro on Garstang Road, Fulwood, have claimed they are being handed hefty fines by car park management service Parkingeye.

Customers dining in the restaurant typically use the small car park around the back located on Broadway.

The system requires customers to input their registration number using a QR code or a link purely for monitoring purposes. No money is required as the car park is free to use for two and half hours as long as the customers are using the businesses which belong to the car park.

Many diners took to Trip Advisor to vent their frustration at being fined despite following the correct parking protocol.

One upset guest claimed that they had dined in the bistro a week ago only to be served up a £90 car parking fine.

Responding to the review, owner of The Ginger Bistro Soji Joseph said the customer wasn't the first person to bring up that they had received a fine and he would get it overturned for them with no issue.

He said: "We have received a number of complaints from our customers regarding parking fines from the newly installed Parking Eye when they have visited us for food and drinks."This was a step taken by the landlord to reduce the number of people parking in the car park but not using the businesses on site.

"We are working closely with the Parkingeye team to resolve any unnecessary fines which neither us or them wish on anyone."

The popular eatery which was recently crowned 'Best Cafe Bistro' in England has recently seen a deluge in customers.

Manager James Kacperek told the Post the parking problem had lessened in the past week and the restaurant was doing all it could to help alleviate stress for its customers.

"We are down from 30-40 tickets a week to 10.

"It hasn't deterred customers or affected trade as we are still very busy.

"When guests first come in they should be thinking where do we sit, not where do we resolve a parking issue"

"It's not a new problem it's because we have a lot of new customers.

"There never used to be a restriction on time but the landlord put it in in the middle of last year.

"I would say to any customer that does come into the restaurant and has a parking fine just give us a call and we will verify your visit and sort it out."

A Parkingeye spokesperson said: “The car park at the Ginger Bistro in Preston is monitored by ANPR camera systems and has prominent and highly-visible signage throughout providing guidance on how to use the car park responsibly.

“The signage advises customers of the Ginger Bistro, Sole and Beauty, AM1 Hair and Another Bouquet on how to register for 2hr and 30min of free parking.

“Parkingeye operates a BPA (British Parking Association) audited appeals process, which motorists can use to appeal their Parking Charge Notice. If anyone has mitigating circumstances, we would encourage them to highlight this by appealing. All motorists are also entitled to a further appeal via POPLA, the independent body which reviews all cases.”