THE COUNCIL has once again found itself caught up in a car parking drama more than 180 miles from Bracknell. 

As previously reported by this newspaper, Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) owns a retail park in Lincoln, purchased for £12.7 million as part of its commercial property spending spree in 2017 and 2018.  

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Although the council makes around £3 million a year from leasing out this site and five others nationwide, owning the retail park has come with its challenges as LincolnshireLive has reported. 

What’s the issue?

BFC owns Valentine South retail park in Lincoln, which includes The Range and Wren Kitchens stores. 

This site is based right next to a separately-owned but similarly-named estate called Valentine retail park. 

Bracknell News:

The oval at the bottom of the picture represents Valentine South retail park's car park. The circle at the top of the picture represents Valentine retail park car park, which is where motorists have headed to after parking in Valentine South.

Rules implemented by UCKPS, the parking management company which monitors customer parking for BFC, indicate that customers who park at Valentine South retail park but then leave the site — usually to visit the adjacent shops — will be fined.

So people are being fined for leaving the site?

In January 2019, LincolnshireLive reported shoppers were fined up to £100 after they were watched leaving the site.

READ MORE: Council caught up in car park conundrum up north

The issue has reared its head again after the same news outlet reported another customer had fallen ‘victim’ to the car park conundrum. 

Beth Hall, whose mother was fined, told LincolnshireLive: “We thought it was one big shopping park. 

“She’s been shopping there for ten years and never realised it was a separate car park.

“The guy who issued the ticket waited for her to leave and then took loads of photos straight after.”

What’s the reaction been like to the issue?

LincolnshireLive dubbed the car park the ‘most confusing’ in the county after a number of other motorists got in touch to tell them about their experiences of the site. 

The News asked BFC to comment on the issue given its ownership of the retail park. 

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In response, Steve Booth, Head of Property at Bracknell Forest Council, said: “We are looking into this matter and seeking clarification from UKCPS on the reason for issuing the ticket [issued to Beth Hall].

“Using this information, we can then establish with UKCPS whether the ticket should have been issued. 

“If a ticket was issued unjustly then we will instruct the managing agent to withdraw it.”