January 8, 2019 1.44 pm This story is over 62 months old

Shoppers threaten boycott over parking fines

Fury has continued over ‘ridiculous rules’ in a Lincoln retail park

Shoppers have threatened to boycott a Lincoln retail park as backlash continues over claims of ‘leaving the site’ parking charges.

Parking rules at Valentine Retail Park have sparked fury among shoppers after some claimed to have been issued bizarre ‘fines’.

It appears as one single retail park to shoppers, but those caught unaware wandering from one side to the other have reportedly been fined.

The Lincolnite investigated the complaints and found that two different parking companies are operating in Valentine.

The car park is split into two sections and managed by two separate parking companies which operate ‘no leaving the site’ rules.

Valentine is owned by British Land and the car park is operated by CP Plus. Valentine South (which includes Wren Kitchens and The Range) is owned by Bracknell Forest Borough Council and the car park is operated by UKCPS.

While CP Plus told reporters they do not fine drivers who park on their site and shop next door, UKCPS said they will issue tickets to anyone leaving their site, including into the second half of the shopping complex.

Now shoppers are threatening to boycott the retail park after they started to issue the “ridiculous parking rules.”

“It’s the shops that’ll lose out because shoppers will just shop online,” wrote Tony Gardiner.

Bill Morris added: “Time for a boycott and go elsewhere.”

But he wasn’t alone in the idea, many others commented on our previous story to say that they will just avoid shopping in brick and mortar stores.

Alison Callaghan said: “It’s so busy finding one parking space is often hard enough and expecting you to put kids back in the car to move the car a few yards is totally unreasonable.

“The shops need to get their act together and sort it out or they don’t deserve our custom!”

Anyone caught leaving the site will be fined. Photo: Connor Creaghan for The Lincolnite


Have you been given a parking fine at Valentine? Contact the news desk on [email protected].

The 2024 Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are now open for nominations, seeking to spotlight outstanding businesses within the Greater Lincolnshire area.

Hosted by Stonebow Media, the publisher behind The Lincolnite and the MyLocal platform, this prestigious event is designed to honour the achievements of the regional business community.

Thanks to the headline sponsorship from the University of Lincoln Enterprise & Research department, the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are a unique opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of local enterprises.

The awards are also sponsored by Ringrose Law, Duncan & Toplis, Sills & Betteridge and Pearson Hydraulics. A small number of sponsorship opportunities remain available. Contact [email protected] to discuss partnerships.

Businesses can nominate themselves across eleven awards categories:

  • SME of the Year
  • Family Business of the Year
  • International Business Achiever of the Year
  • Business Innovation/Innovator of the Year
  • Emerging Business of the Year
  • Charitable Business of the Year
  • Environmental/Sustainable Business of the Year
  • Rising Star of the Year
  • Business Leader of the Year
  • Business of the Year
  • Tech Business of the Year

Nominate now! Entries open on the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards website.

The deadline for nominations is May 24, with the judges’ deliberation lunch set for May 29. The judging panel includes business experts and professionals from Lincolnshire and event sponsors.

The Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards 2024 gala will take place at the Engine Shed on July 12, 2024.

For more details on the categories, sponsors, and judges, visit the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards website.


Reasons to enter:

  • Enhance profile & credibility: Securing an award or being shortlisted acts as a powerful endorsement, signaling trustworthiness to potential customers and helping to distinguish your business from competitors. Displaying the award on your communications can significantly boost your brand’s perception.
  • Insightful focus & feedback: The application process encourages deep reflection on your business strategy and direction, offering invaluable feedback and clarity, even for new ventures.
  • Team confidence boost: Recognition from the awards can significantly uplift your team’s morale, affirming the value and potential of your business in the eyes of industry experts.
  • Marketing & PR boost: Being associated with the awards, even as a nominee, can enhance brand visibility, providing ample content opportunities for social media and other marketing channels.
  • Networking opportunities: The awards connect you with local business leaders and experts, offering a platform to seek advice, share ideas, and foster future partnerships. The ceremony itself is an excellent occasion for networking with peers and celebrating mutual successes.
  • Potential to win: Entering offers a chance to win and gain all the associated benefits, but even without taking home a trophy, the process can yield significant advantages for your business.

A Lady Gaga loving kitten owned by a couple who run a charity for disabled pets featured on Channel 5’s The Pet Psychic.

Pet Psychic Beth Lee-Crowther comes to the aid of pet owners and in Tuesday night’s episode she met Cookie the kitten, a depressed camel, and looked at whether a dog can predict the future.


Read the full story on MyLocal, the new home of The Lincolnite

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