Lidl 'sorry' for poppy sellers' parking tickets

Volunteers Michael Cann and Christine Emerson were issued with parking tickets

Supermarket giant Lidl has said sorry after volunteers selling poppies at one of its branches were wrongly issued parking tickets.

At least eight Royal British Legion (RBL) volunteers were given the penalty charge notices (PCNs) between 27 October and 9 November despite having registered their cars with Lidl in North Hykeham.

One of the sellers, Christine Emerson said she had been "knocked sideways" by the £90 ticket.

After being contacted by the BBC, Lidl said it had failed to forward the information to its parking management company, offered an apology and confirmed the charges had been revoked.

Ms Emerson sells poppies for the RBL North Hykeham branch as a way to remember her father and grandfather who fought in the two world wars.

She said: "As far as we knew, the licence numbers had been taken and there was no problem parking for four hours.

"But near the end of the week, I got this charge through the post for £90. I was knocked sideways, I wasn't expecting that.

"Considering nearly all of the people involved are pensioners, it was a bit of a kick in the teeth. I did get cross about it."

Ms Emerson said she refused to pay the charge and said she would "rather fight it and go down fighting if necessary".

"It's not right," she added.

The volunteers gave their details to the supermarket to allow them to park for longer than the usual 90 minutes

Fellow volunteer Michael Cann said he was "absolutely furious" about the situation and claimed Lidl managers "did not want to know anything about it".

He said: "This was for all our veterans, this is a national appeal annually and I'm really cross that someone hasn't done their job."

Mr Cann also criticised parking management firm Parkingeye for its response to volunteers' requests for the charges to be revoked.

"When we tried to contact them the phone number wasn't responsive, then they say you've got to email them or go on their website, which is a faff," he added.

When contacted by the BBC, a Lidl spokesperson confirmed they had "acted swiftly" to resolve a "genuine mistake".

"The PCNs to all number plates provided have now been cancelled, and one, which had already been paid, has been refunded."

Parkingeye said it operated an "audited appeals process" which it described as "simple and accessible".

A spokesperson said: "We encourage motorists to engage with the appeals process to provide any background and evidence on why they broke the rules of the car park.

"It is only during engagement with the appeals process that personal and mitigating circumstances can be brought to light and fairness and understanding shown."

Mr Cann's and Ms Emerson's charges had been revoked and any connected charges had been cancelled, the spokesperson added.

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