A SHOPPING trip for a new computer turned costly for one Huddersfield businessman.

Self-employed salesman Nick Hirt, from Honley, was hit with a £150 “fine” for staying 10 minutes more than the 90-minute maximum outside PC World, Phoenix Retail Park, Leeds Road, on March 13.

Mr Hirt, 46, said due to a staff and stock shortage he was delayed in the store.

The car park serves the PC World shop and other stores on the small retail park.

A few weeks after visiting the shop, he received a bill from Civil Enforcement Ltd who run the car park on the retail estate.

Mr Hirt said: “The car park was only a quarter full.

“I rang PC World but they said there was nothing they could do about it.

“People should be warned that these parking restrictions are in force.

“Shoppers could be there for hours, say if you buy a computer and then go next door to buy some furniture.

“I’m not happy about this situation or PC World for not standing up to these people.”

Civil Enforcement made headlines in the Examiner and the national press when they issued 24-year-old student Natalie Jackson with a £150 invoice for parking in their car park outside Kentucky Fried Chicken, Leeds Road, in September. The fine has since been dropped.

Neil Herron of parkingappeals.co.uk said: “It’s down to contract and the parking company has to prove the contract was entered into.

“They can write to the registered keeper of the vehicle and they have to prove you were the driver.

“You are under no obligation to provide details.

“The problem with these places is the parking is handed over to private operators. The stores don’t realise the damage these private companies do.

“90 minutes is not a reasonable amount of time especially if you’re going to part with thousands of pounds for a sofa and a PC.

“But because it’s a contract there’s no obligation to do anything.

“It’s a civil matter and the parking company has to present evidence in court that you agreed to enter into a contract and they have to prove the terms and conditions were there.

“The fine is effectively an invoice and it’s very rare for these cases to come to court because they have the potential for the whole regime to be exposed. It’s a legal minefield and it’s very hard to prove.”

A spokesman for PC World said: “Although we have a PC World store at the retail park we are unfortunately not responsible for the parking policy there.

“Customers are given 90 minutes free parking by Civil Enforcement. However, we will pass on concerns to them.”

The Examiner contacted Civil Enforcement. They failed to respond.