A baffled mother from Kent has expressed her fury and anxiety after receiving a £100 parking fine nearly three years after the alleged offence occurred, with the parking management company informing her it is now 'too late' to appeal the penalty.
Shock Arrival of a Final Notice
Monika Wentowska, a 43-year-old private tutor from Whitstable, was shocked to receive a penalty charge notice (PCN) in November 2025 for an alleged parking infringement that supposedly took place in March 2023. The notice arrived as a 'final notice,' leaving her confused and distressed by the substantial delay.
The Alleged Breach of Rules
The fine relates to an incident at the Prospect Way Retail Park in Whitstable, where Ms Wentowska is accused of returning to the car park twice within four hours, thereby breaching a 'no returns' policy enforced at the site. She states that her two visits lasted just 17 minutes and 20 minutes respectively, within a single hour.
Ms Wentowska said: 'I just refuse to pay it. It's not that I don't want to pay the fine, but this one I will not accept, because the rule is ridiculous in the first place. It's the principle. If I forget something from M&S for lunch, I can't go back? And 33 months for the fine to come through the door? It's a joke.'
Frustration Over the Appeal Process
Upon receiving the notice, Ms Wentowska wrote to the parking manager, Parkingeye, to request more information and contest the charge. However, she was informed that too much time had passed for her to lodge an appeal, a response that has only heightened her frustration.
'There's no evidence or anything,' she explained. 'I wrote to them, asking for more information, and they sent me a letter saying I can't appeal because too much time has passed already.'
Anxiety Over Future Fines
The situation has left Ms Wentowska feeling unfairly treated and anxious about the possibility of receiving additional fines for other visits to the same retail park over the past three years. She has frequented the location countless times since the alleged offence, unaware that such rules were in place.
She added: 'I'm angry and anxious. I have been in and out of the area for the past three years. How many more will I get? My credit score could be affected. It's absolutely unreasonable.'
Parkingeye's Response and Stance
In response to inquiries, a Parkingeye spokesperson defended the company's actions, stating that clear signage is displayed throughout the car park outlining the rules, which include a maximum stay of three hours and a no-return policy within four hours.
The spokesperson said: 'Parkingeye provides car park management services at Prospect Way Retail Park. The car park features prominent and highly visible signs throughout, providing information on how to use the car park responsibly.'
They confirmed that the first correspondence was issued in April last year, with a final notice sent in November, and noted that Parkingeye operates a British Parking Association (BPA) audited appeals process. The spokesperson also mentioned that Ms Wentowska was granted a late appeal but failed to provide evidence of being a genuine customer, leading to its rejection.
'If anyone has mitigating circumstances, we would encourage them to highlight this by appealing,' the spokesperson added, noting that she still has the right to a further appeal with POPLA, the independent ombudsman.
Broader Implications and Consumer Concerns
This case raises significant questions about the fairness and timeliness of parking enforcement practices, particularly when fines are issued long after the alleged offences. Ms Wentowska's inability to provide receipts from three years ago highlights the practical challenges motorists face in defending themselves against such delayed charges.
Her experience underscores a growing concern among consumers about the transparency and reasonableness of parking regulations in retail environments, where quick return visits for forgotten items are common. As she continues to refuse payment on principle, the dispute serves as a stark reminder of the potential financial and emotional toll of protracted parking enforcement issues.
