ANGRY cinema goers are to appeal against £60 parking fines after a new system was introduced at a car park for their benefit.

Curzon Knutsford manager Maggie Ashworth launched the system just after Christmas at the car park next to the Toft Road cinema.

The initiative was aimed at preventing all-day parkers taking up spaces in the 22-space car park at the expense of film goers and people using the building.

Under the new system parking is free for two and a half hours, and people parking beyond that will not be charged if they provide their registration number at the cinema.

Maggie said there are seven large signs in the car park, further signs on a side entrance, at the counters and bar area, and on the screen before the film begins.

Car registration numbers are recorded by cameras, which are operated by Creative Parking Solutions.

Numerous people who received fines, many after parking on Saturday, January 3, contacted Maggie claiming they had not seen any signs about the new parking system.

She said about 20 people had called her or come in to see her last week about their fines.

“They were upset, and said they had been coming to the cinema for years and have never been charged to park,” said Maggie.

“They said they did not see any signs about the new parking rules, and because they have parked there before with no restrictions I think they have not noticed the signs.

“I was very sympathetic, and helped them to get the information they need to register their appeals over the fines.

“I have given them screenshots of their cinema bookings, and hope the fines will be quashed.

“I do not want anyone to be fined, but I took the decision to introduce the new parking system to protect our customers so they have somewhere to park.”

High Legh resident Val Challis went to see The Theory of Everything on January 2, and received a £60 parking fine this week.

She has been visiting the cinema for 15 years, and said she had no complaint with the new system as it was often difficult to find a parking space when visiting the cinema.

She said she was unaware of the new parking rules, and any notices which may have been displayed on that day were “at best inconspicuous.”

She said she rang the assistant manager about her fine, and when asked if there had been other complaints he said “one or two.”

“Sixty pounds is an expensive outing, especially as we are pensioners, and if ensuring parking spaces is to encourage cinemagoers they may consider the way it was done is more likely to lose them customers,” she said.

Another cinema goer to receive a fine after parking at the cinema on January 3 was David Burnham from Goostrey.

He said he did not notice the sign as he drove into the car park and did not see the sign on the side door or on the screen.

He has proof he went to the cinema on that day, and is appealing against the fine.

Mr Burnham is a member of Holmes Chapel U3A, which features details on its website about the new parking policy to make group members aware of the change.

Maggie added: “We have had people parking all day and not coming to the cinema, and during the summer had half a dozen regular offenders.

“When they were asked not to park there because the spaces were intended for cinema patrons they verbally abused my staff.”

Maggie said the new parking signs went up in November, but the system did not begin until December 27 to allow people to become accustomed to it.

“If you look at the footfall we have had over the period since the new system went live the 20 people who contacted me is not a lot,” added Maggie.

“These are teething troubles, but as soon as people get used to the new system they will take to it like a duck to water.”

She encouraged all cinema goers to record their car registration number in a console in the cinema foyer to ensure they are not fined if they park for more than two and a half hours, and staff were happy to help customers who are unsure what to do.