A retired butcher has hit out at a new parking system after receiving meaty bills in the post.

The new digital set-up at The Mall in Maidstone was launched to great fanfare earlier this spring - but John Jenner says he and other motorists are being hit with fines despite paying to park and some may even boycott the shopping centre as a result.

The car park underwent a digital transformation to make it Covid-secure in February. YourParkingSpace.co.uk became its new operator and the company removed the barriers on both entry and exit to reduce the need for any physical contact.

At the time it was announced users of the 1,050-space car park would be able to pay on their mobile phone and could even use their phone to reserve a space in advance.

YourParkSpace.co.uk has admitted that a "small percentage" of customers have received a PCN due to entering their incorrect vehicle registration when paying, and are investing in further measures to prevent shoppers like Mr Jenner being shocked when they receive a hefty ticket.

His latest fine will be cancelled upon him contacting the firm, they have confirmed.

Mr Jenner used the car park for a brief visit to the Pads Hill shopping centre on April 30 and used his bank card to pay £2 to leave his Ford Focus while he shopped.

"Many people have trouble with this firm's new payment system..."

However, just days later, the 74-year-old was shocked to receive a demand for payment of a £100 fine.

Mr Jenner said: "I went to The Mall to buy something and was in there less than an hour. I paid the £2 parking fee by debit card and left.

"Then later I received a parking charge notice saying I had to pay £100, I assume for non-payment. I checked my bank and the £2 had been taken from my account.

"Many people have trouble with this firm's new payment system, especially the elderly. I have seen many people struggling with this system. Some have just paid their fine without appealing, you can only do this on their website.

"This should not be allowed to continue. This firm needs seriously sorting out."

Mr Jenner, who lives in Hedley Street in Maidstone, says he shared his story on a local Facebook group and many others came forward to say they had experienced similar issues.

"Many say they will boycott The Mall because of this," he said. "Which will badly impact the few shops that remain in the centre."

Grant Robbins, a senior account manager at YourParkingSpace.co.uk, said: "Since going live at The Mall we have become aware of a small percentage of customers that have received a PCN due to entering their incorrect vehicle registration when paying. This has affected just under 1.5% of customers, with over 98.5% of customers entering their correct vehicle registration when paying.

"Mr Jenner received three PCNs for entering the incorrect vehicle registration on three separate occasions. All three PCNs were cancelled. Unfortunately we can only provide the vehicle registration we are provided with to the enforcement company to whitelist.

"We are however investing in further measures, including SMS notifications to customers who enter a vehicle registration when paying which doesn’t match a vehicle registration picked up by the cameras, to eliminate the risk of customers not realising that they may have entered an incorrect vehicle registration.

"I dread to think how many people have received these notices through simple errors..."

"Importantly, any customer who paid but entered the incorrect vehicle registration when paying should notify us or the enforcement company directly. The PCN will be cancelled."

Mr Jenner said: "I'm wondering what has happened to the people who have paid £100 or £60 who haven't realised they could appeal.

"The penalty charge is excessive anyway. If they know you have made an error when entering your registration number, why send a penalty notice? I dread to think how many people have received these notices through simple errors."

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