Car parking woes for Marshall's Yard shoppers

Since June 20, the car park has been managed by Smart Parking and there is now an automatic number plate recognition system in place, with customers entering part of their registration number into the new pay- and-display machines when they pay to park at the centre.

However, some customers say they have been issued with fines despite having valid tickets – with one shopper saying he has been “hounded like a criminal”.

Trish Hardwick said: “I received notice of a parking fine for non-payment. I have my ticket, clearly with a correct registration number on it and times correspond with the photo of me entering Marshall’s Yard. And upon leaving the ticket can be seen on my dashboard.

“I think it is about time something is done about this.”

And Brian Walsh said: “These new machines require you to enter your exact registration number.

“However, they do not tell you that if you get one digit wrong you will be hounded like a criminal and pursued for a £60 parking charge.”

Jane Toward, aged 63, said: “People have not seen the signs and the machines have been covered up.

“It seems to be complicated and ambiguous for no reason.

“Why make it so complicated?”

Paul Rouse, 58, said: “A lot of people have had charges for various reasons.

“It is not doing Gainsborough any favours.”

Amanda Holmes, from Dransfield Properties