A furious gran was slapped with a £100 fine for parking illegally outside a pub, but has claimed that the meter was covered by scaffolding.
Sandra Smith received a fine after visiting The Old Cobblers Inn in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, on September 21.
She parked outside for 90 minutes while taking her grandson to the pub's Wacky Warehouse soft play area.
On October 7, she was stunned to receive a £60 parking fine in the post from Euro Car Parks, which manages the pub's car park.
Confused by the charge, she took to social media to ask if others had experienced the same issue.
While it later transpired there was a parking meter, Sandra insists it was covered by scaffolding.
She also stressed she had no intention of swerving the charge - and even spent £16 in the pub during her stay.
Sandra told Lancs Live : "I had visited the pub a lot before Covid, so I think that's why I didn't think there was any parking restrictions and I could just go there. I've been back since and for what I could see, there wasn't any signs telling you of the rules that were noticeable.
"There's scaffolding outside too, which covers the parking meter, so it isn't at all obvious it's there. I went back through to the Wacky Warehouse and there was an A-Frame in the lobby telling you about registering for free parking, but I'm convinced it was not there when I visited.
"I was in the Wacky Warehouse for around 90 minutes in total, whilst my grandson played and we ate and drank and no one told me about it."
After receiving her fine, she was given 10 days to appeal, which she did within the required timeframe.
However, she is still awaiting a response from Euro Car Parks and was told that the fine could escalate to £100 if unsuccessful.
Sandra added: "I wanted to put it on Facebook to see if anyone else had the same experience. I got lots of responses, with people saying the same thing happened to them.
"I was told that the restrictions had been in place since January, but someone else was told it had been three months, so I don't know what's gone on there. I'm just being honest about my experience as I just think it's strange to have the restrictions there, as everywhere else in Rawtenstall is free to park.
"It's also an out-of-town pub, so I think it's strange they'd charge. I paid for food and coffee whilst we were there by card and spent around £16, so I have that proof to show them if they anyone asks."
The Mirror has contacted Euro Car Parks for comment.
