20 hours ago
Man left fuming after he's fined for going for a coffee at McDonald's
A businessman appealed to McDonald's staff for help after being handed a parking ticket when he stopped for his morning coffee.
Vinny Brownell says he was issued with the ticket after UK Parking Control claimed he had parked at the fast food chain's restaurant in Dingle, Merseyside, from 8am to 3pm.
But Mr Brownell disputes the ticket, and says he never remains on site for more than half an hour. He explained that he regularly stops off for a coffee before opening up his furniture store, the Liverpool Echo reported.
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He has received the backing of a McDonald's manager at the store, who in a written note confirmed his version of events.
Mr Brownell, who owns Allerton Furniture Centre on Admiral Street just a mile away, says he is now facing court proceedings.
At the L8 restaurant, the 41 spaces offer a maximum stay of 90 minutes at any one time. According to the notice to Mr Brownell, UK Parking Control - which manages the car park - alleged he left his vehicle in a space from 8am to 3pm in October last year.
Mr Brownell told the ECHO: 'I wish I had that much time to spare. It's only around the corner, I go in every weekday on my way to work.
'It's a bit frustrating, I tried to ring them to explain but I was told I would have to pay in full.
"Why should I? It never happened.
'I'm not there for seven hours, I don't know whether the cameras are faulty.
"It has now got to the stage that court proceedings are in place. I think it's despicable.'
In a bid to have his fine thrown out, Mr Brownell, who has worked in the furniture trade for 42 years and run his business in L8 since 1995, has sought the support of the staff who serve his morning coffee at McDonald's.
In a statement, Kate Boyle, a shift manager at the store on Aigburth Road, wrote to clear her regular customer's name.
This isn't the first time the furniture shop owner has had to do battle with a parking fine, having already had an erroneous ticket at McDonald's thrown out once before.
The ECHO contacted UK Parking Control for comment.
No response was received ahead of publication.
