Car park operator confirms all fines are cancelled after event stall holders fined in error

The operator of a private car park in Melton has confirmed that all fines issued incorrectly to stall holders while setting up for the very popular 1940s weekend have been cancelled.

Stall holders who used Mucky Lane Car Park, off Burton Street, to access Play Close Park for the setting up of the event between 8th and 11th May were issued parking fines for not paying for their time in the privately operated car park, despite only using it to access Play Close to set up for the event.

Fines were issued via post to drivers for £100 but discounted to £60 if they paid within a specific time frame despite not actually using the car park.

The event organisers hire Play Close park from Melton Mowbray Town Estate (MMTE) who outsource the collection of fees from Mucky Lane Car Park to Premier Park who issued the fines.

It's understood that MMTE requested for the cameras to be turned off for the event but this wasn't done which prompted the fines.

A lot of visitors were incorrectly fined after using the car park to acces the show ground. Photo: NEMM

A spokesperson for Premier Park said: "We can confirm that all parking charges issued at Mucky Lane Car Park between 8 and 11 May have been cancelled in full. Anyone who has already paid will receive a complete refund.

Melton Mowbray Town Estate had requested that charges be suspended for the event, and due to an oversight on our part, that instruction was not fully actioned. We apologise to the stallholders affected. 

All outstanding appeals have been resolved and no charges from this period will be enforced."

A spokesperson for the 1940s event said: "We the 1940 weekend are truly sorry for all the stress caused over the parking tickets being sent out.

Thankyou for your patience and understanding.

Everyone who takes part in our show is important to us and that we keep a brilliant working relationship."

More than 10,000 visitors attended the highly popular 1940s weekend across the weekend and it's proving to be a highly popular event in the Melton calendar. It's organised by a volunteer committee who spend most of the year planning the event.

Melton Mowbray Town Estate was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.