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I am a furious with McDonalds for having been sent a notice of a £50 parking charge by MET Parking Services for being on a McDonald’s restaurant site near Heathrow for 76 minutes (free stay is apparently 60 minutes). I took my four young children as a treat and by the time we’d found a table, sat down, queued, eaten, gone to the bathroom etc., we were captured on camera leaving 76 minutes later. Am I obliged to pay this charge? I saw no clear signs advising of a 60-minute maximum stay at the restaurant (I have since been made aware there may have been a sign with small print on it). They shall certainly never have my business again if they pursue this charge. I have no intention of force-feeding my kids at speed just to satisfy McDonald's parking requirements.

Asked on 25 July 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
I am a furious with McDonalds for having been sent a notice of a £50 parking charge by MET Parking Services for being on a McDonald’s restaurant site near Heathrow for 76 minutes (free stay is apparently 60 minutes). I took my four young children as a treat and by the time we’d found a table, sat down, queued, eaten, gone to the bathroom etc., we were captured on camera leaving 76 minutes later. Am I obliged to pay this charge? I saw no clear signs advising of a 60-minute maximum stay at the restaurant (I have since been made aware there may have been a sign with small print on it). They shall certainly never have my business again if they pursue this charge. I have no intention of force-feeding my kids at speed just to satisfy McDonald's parking requirements.
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