Next and Costa customer hit with 'disgusting' £100 fine at UK shopping centre

A has been hit with a £100 fine for allegedly staying for 17 minutes over the three-hour limit at a shopping centre. He said he regularly visits the Coffee in the Next store at the but described the parking restrictions as "disgusting".

Nathan Hopkins was hit with the charge at The Peel Centre in Gloucester. The shopping centre, located in St Ann Way, changed its parking rules in 2023 and a number of customers have since been caught out.

As reported by , Mr Hopkins works remotely and chooses to base himself in the Costa Coffee cafe at least once a week. He explained: "I had identified Costa Coffee in the Next store at The Peel Centre as an ideal place to work due to the location, good wifi and three hour stay time.

"Over the past two years I have been a customer of Costa Coffee at least once a week, most weeks and have regularly bought clothes in the Next store and shopping at the Iceland Warehouse as well as Home Bargains.

"However, on January 9, 2025, I allegedly overstayed the three-hour time limit by 17 minutes and received a parking charge notice for £60 for the privilege. I appealed this PCN as I respect the time limit and always time my stay with my phone alarm clock, so was very surprised to have 'allegedly' gone over the time limit."

He added that it was not possible to read the registration number in the exit photo on the charge notice letter. It was reportedly white and not yellow as a rear plate should be.

Mr Hopkins said: "I appealed as you cannot see a registration number in the second photo.

The pictures they show of the registration plate is clearly the front one as it's white, not yellow, and there is no forward facing camera on exit - only a rear facing one.

"They declined my appeal, completely ignoring anything related to camera positioning and focusing only on signage available. On the PCN was a picture of my vehicle entering the centre and another picture of a similar vehicle upon exit.

"It was not possible to read the registration number in the exit picture so I used this as the basis of the appeal. After appealing, I promptly had a response from Ocean parking rejecting the appeal, stating that there were clearly marked signs, however totally ignoring anything to do with camera placement or the unreadable registration number. I have since paid the £100 fee in frustration."

Mr Hopkins said the experience has put him off from going back to The Peel Centre. He has not returned as a customer since receiving the hefty fine.

Westgate and Hempsted Councillor Pam Tracey (Conservative) has described the fining of legitimate shoppers as "disgusting". She said: "We need people in the city. We don't want to get rid of them. We've done enough on this.

"It's disgusting. I thought it had come to a close. I think it's disgraceful. I feel sorry for people being hit with these fines."

The Daily Express has contacted Ocean Parking for comment.