Can I get a supermarket parking fine cancelled by speaking to the store manager?

Yes, in many cases. Supermarket store managers can request that the parking operator cancel charges for genuine customers. Bring your receipt as proof of purchase. This works best at Aldi, Lidl, and Morrisons, where managers have established processes for this. However, it is not guaranteed, and if the manager cannot help, you should proceed with a formal appeal.

What is the time limit for parking at Aldi?

Most Aldi stores in the UK have a 90-minute parking limit enforced by ParkingEye ANPR cameras. Some stores may have slightly different limits depending on the location and car park size. The time limit should be clearly displayed on signage at the car park entrance.

Will ParkingEye take me to court for a supermarket parking fine?

ParkingEye is one of the few private parking operators that does pursue unpaid charges through the County Court via their solicitors DCB Legal. However, they do not take every case to court, and many people successfully appeal or defend claims. If you receive a formal court claim, you must respond within the deadline.

I was shopping the entire time. Can I still get a fine?

Yes. The ANPR system measures total time in the car park, not time spent shopping. Even if you were genuinely shopping for the entire duration, you can still receive a charge for exceeding the posted time limit. However, being a genuine customer is a relevant factor in your appeal and can be combined with other grounds.

Does the 10-minute grace period apply to supermarket parking?

Yes. Under both the BPA and IPC Codes of Practice, operators must apply a grace period of at least 10 minutes beyond the advertised maximum stay before issuing a charge. If you overstayed by 10 minutes or less, the charge should not have been issued.

I parked at Tesco but also visited the shop next door. Is that allowed?

This depends on the terms displayed on the signage. Some supermarket car parks restrict use to customers of that specific store. Others allow use for the wider retail area. Check the signage carefully. If the terms were unclear about whether adjacent shops were included, this ambiguity can support your appeal.

£60 to £100 typical charge

Supermarket Parking Fine

Got a parking fine at Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, or Morrisons? Most supermarket car parks are managed by ParkingEye using ANPR cameras. Time limits are often 90 minutes or 2 hours, and overstaying even by a few minutes can trigger a charge.

Common Defences

4 strong grounds

How This Happens

Supermarket parking fines are almost always triggered by ANPR cameras recording your number plate on entry and exit. The system calculates your stay duration and automatically issues a charge if you exceed the posted time limit. Common scenarios include: doing a large weekly shop that takes longer than expected, stopping for a coffee after shopping, visiting a pharmacy or bank next to the supermarket, or returning to the store because you forgot an item. ParkingEye manages the majority of UK supermarket car parks, including Aldi, Lidl, and many Tesco and Morrisons locations. Time limits are typically 90 minutes at Aldi and Lidl, and up to 2 or 3 hours at larger Tesco and Morrisons stores.

Common Operators

These are the private parking operators most commonly associated with this type of parking charge.

ParkingEye

42% successBPA

View guide →

UKPC

48% successBPA

View guide →

Euro Car Parks

52% successBPA

View guide →

Excel Parking

52% successBPA

View guide →

Common Defences

These are the most effective grounds for appealing this type of parking charge, ranked by strength.

Grace period not applied

Under the BPA and IPC Codes of Practice, a grace period of at least 10 minutes must be given beyond the advertised maximum stay. If you overstayed by only a few minutes, the grace period should have protected you.

Strong

Inadequate signage

The signage at the entrance and throughout the car park must clearly display time limits, charges, and ANPR monitoring. If signs were missing, obscured, or not visible from where you parked, this weakens the operator's case.

Strong

ANPR timing error

ANPR cameras sometimes record incorrect entry or exit times. Request the ANPR images and check whether the timestamps match your actual visit.

Strong

Late Notice to Keeper

Under POFA 2012, the operator must serve the Notice to Keeper within 14 days if no ticket was issued at the time. If the NtK arrived late, keeper liability cannot be established.

Strong

Genuine customer

You were a genuine customer who spent money in the store. Receipts showing you were shopping during the overstay period support your case.

Moderate

Adjacent store visit

If you parked at the supermarket but also visited an adjacent shop (bakery, pharmacy, etc.), the terms may not have made clear whether this was permitted.

Moderate

Appeal Tips

Keep your shopping receipt as proof you were a genuine customer and note the time you entered and left the store.

Photograph the signage at the car park entrance and near where you parked, especially if it is unclear or partially obscured.

Check the NtK date against the date of the alleged contravention. If it arrived more than 14 days later, this is a strong ground for cancellation.

If you overstayed by less than 10 minutes, cite the mandatory grace period under the operator's Code of Practice.

Contact the store manager. Some supermarkets will ask the operator to cancel charges for genuine customers.

Request ANPR images from the operator via a Subject Access Request (SAR) to verify timing accuracy.

Understanding Supermarket Parking Fines

Supermarket parking fines are one of the most common types of private parking charge in the UK. Major chains including Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Morrisons, and Asda contract private parking operators to manage their car parks using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras. The system records your number plate when you drive in and again when you leave, calculating the total duration of your stay. If you exceed the posted time limit, a Parking Charge Notice is automatically generated and sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle.

Typical Time Limits at UK Supermarkets

Time limits vary by store and location, but common limits are:

Aldi: 90 minutes (managed by ParkingEye at most stores)
Lidl: 90 minutes to 2 hours (managed by ParkingEye)
Tesco: 2 to 3 hours (varies by store size, managed by ParkingEye or Euro Car Parks)
Morrisons: 2 to 3 hours (managed by ParkingEye or UKPC)
Asda: 2 to 3 hours (various operators)

Why Genuine Customers Get Caught

The majority of people who receive supermarket parking fines are genuine customers. Common reasons include large weekly shops taking longer than expected, queues at the checkout, visiting the in-store pharmacy or cafe, or making a quick trip to an adjacent shop. The ANPR system does not distinguish between genuine customers and non-customers; it simply measures the time your vehicle was in the car park.

The Store Manager Route

Before launching a formal appeal, it is worth contacting the store manager directly. Many supermarkets have the ability to request that their parking operator cancels charges for genuine customers. Bring your receipt as proof of purchase. Aldi and Lidl store managers, in particular, have been known to assist customers who overstayed while shopping. This is not guaranteed, but it is a quick first step that costs nothing.

Your Legal Rights

A supermarket parking charge is not a fine in the legal sense. It is an invoice based on an alleged breach of contract. The operator claims you entered a contract by driving onto the land, and the terms were displayed on signage. For this contract to be enforceable, the signage must meet specific requirements set out in the BPA or IPC Code of Practice. The charge amount must also be a genuine pre-estimate of the operator's loss, not a penalty.

Building Your Appeal

The strongest supermarket parking appeals combine multiple grounds. Start by checking the NtK timing (was it served within 14 days?), then examine the signage (was it clear, visible, and compliant?), then check whether the grace period was applied. Add evidence of your genuine customer status (receipts, loyalty card records) and any evidence of ANPR errors. A well-structured appeal that addresses the legal requirements will have the best chance of success.

What Happens If You Do Not Pay

Most supermarket parking operators will send reminder letters and may pass the charge to a debt collection company. ParkingEye, which manages the majority of supermarket sites, is one of the few operators that does pursue unpaid charges through the County Court. Other operators such as Euro Car Parks and Excel Parking rarely take court action. However, the safest approach is always to appeal rather than ignore.

Frequently Asked Questions

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