A MAN has criticised an “unscrupulous” parking company after it issued him with a fine after he had used a car park it operates in Caernarfon.

Joe Mills, from Wigan, used the Slate Quay car park, which is run by Initial Parking, on September 23, during his holiday in North Wales.

He said he paid for two hours’ parking at the car park’s pay and display machine, but did not enter his car’s registration number at the machine as he “wasn’t prompted to do so”.

Upon his return home, he found he had received a penalty charge notice (PCN) from Initial Parking, ordering him to pay £100 for having “parked without paying”.

An appeal against the PCN was later rejected.

Joe said: “I dispute the fact that I haven't paid, like they are saying, and I still have the ticket.

“I'm annoyed that the machine was quite happy to take payment without the need to enter a registration number.

“I parked the car, confident that all was well, and looked forward to visiting the nearby castle and the town for a pleasant day out.

“I have looked at various forums since and I have found that we're not the first to be victims of this. It seems to happen on a weekly basis. It’s very misleading.”

Joe said he has have also written to the owners of the land, the Caernarfon Harbour Trust, and has taken his appeal further with POPLA, an independent appeals service for PCNs issued on private land.

The Chronicle has reported earlier this year on multiple occasions of people disputing PCNs they have received after using Slate Quay car park, meanwhile.

He added: “I think this will put visitors off from visiting one of Wales' most visited attractions, if this situation is not rectified.”

In response, Initial Parking said his appeal was declined as he did not enter the full, correct, vehicle registration, and that the evidence he provided showed he purchased a ticket for “PM”.

A reduced PCN fee of £20 was offered in order to close the case.

Initial Parking added that it is the responsibility of the motorist to ensure they make payment for the full and correct vehicle registration mark when using the car park.

The charge remains on hold until POPLA make a judgement on the matter, it said.

Caernarfon Harbour Trust was also approached for comment.