Kettering Barclays Bank customer left with parking bill as lockdown queue caused delays

Hazel had popped into the branch to set up online banking but was stung with the bill
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A Barclays Bank customer from Burton Latimer has been left with a car parking bill after she popped into the branch to speak to customer advisers but was delayed due to the huge queue.

Hazel Holgate used the privately-owned car park directly behind the bank - that allows customers to use a rear entrance - but the wait was so long that she unwittingly over-stayed the limit.

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Not realising she had fallen foul of the parking rules, the first she realised her mistake was when a demand for the £40 payment for over-staying the 30-minute time, was posted to her Burton home.

She said: "During the start of lockdown, I went to the bank and we had to queue for over an hour - If there's a queue you have to queue.

"I was surprised when I got a letter saying I owed £40. I think it's so unfair making money out of people during this pandemic."

The demand from Kettering-based Total Parking Solutions (TPS) included photos of Mrs Holgate's car entering and leaving the car park, and stated that she must pay or the penalty would increase to £90.

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Mrs Holgate, 56, who has been a customer with the bank since she was a teenager, said: "I did appeal it with Total Parking Solutions but they weren't helpful so I went into the bank where they took my letter and said they would get it cancelled due to extenuating circumstances.

Hazel with the demandHazel with the demand
Hazel with the demand

"I left it with the bank and they said they would deal with it. They said that they'd had 'quite a few' "

"But on my birthday, I got another letter, this time for £90 saying I had 14 days to pay or debt recovery would start and the bailiffs would be at the door."

Mrs Holgate returned to the bank, making sure not to use the bank car park despite her mobility problems caused by Fibromyalgia.

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She said: "I spent two days in a row at the bank and they said that they would sort it for me. Another man in a wheelchair behind me in the queue was there for the same reason."

Signs at the entrance to the car parkSigns at the entrance to the car park
Signs at the entrance to the car park

"I'm being stretched every which way. My mum has COPD, my dad has dementia, and I'm looking after my three grandchildren whose parents are NHS workers.

"All I was trying to do was to organise my life to make things easier by sorting out online banking.

"Could they [TPS] not turn off their cameras during this time when queuing takes so long?"

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"I know it's not Barclays car park, but they should not tell people they will cancel their tickets if they are not actually doing it.

Warning signs have been erected in the car parkWarning signs have been erected in the car park
Warning signs have been erected in the car park

"Customers are taking them at their word it's going to be done and instead of £40, it's now £90.

"It's wrong. It's putting people into debt and I still have not paid it because I am waiting to hear from Barclays so I still don't know where I stand and I am sure other people are the same."

The sign at the entrance to the car park states: "This car park is the property of Barclays Bank and is soley for the use of its employees and authorised visitors. All persons parking here do so at their own risk."

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A spokesman for Barclays Bank said: “The car park is owned by a private company but appreciate a number of our customers choose to use it given its close proximity to the branch.

"Unfortunately queue times are longer at present whilst we adhere to social distancing rules to keep both our customers and staff safe.

"We do take steps to remind customers who are waiting that there is a time restriction to try and avoid parking tickets being issued.”

The back door to BarclaysThe back door to Barclays
The back door to Barclays

Total Parking Solutions Kettering were approached for a comment.

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