Initialparking Reviews 

649
TrustScore 1 out of 5

1.1

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 116 reviews, most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. Many customers reported receiving fines despite having paid for parking, often due to issues with payment machines not accepting transactions or incorrect registration number input. People frequently found the payment process confusing, with unclear signage and systems that were perceived as leading to unexpected charges. Reviewers also expressed frustration with the company's service, citing rejected appeals even with proof of payment and the rapid escalation of fines to debt collectors. Customers were particularly critical of the car park locations, such as Newquay Airport, where they felt the pricing was unreasonable for short-term stays and the technology was outdated. Many also noted that the company does not allow a grace period after the paid parking time, leading to fines for being only a few minutes late.

What people talk about most

Payment

Users describe negative interactions with payment, often encountering issues with machines being out of order... See more

Price

Reviewers mention negative feedback about price, with many expressing dissatisfaction over unexpected and... See more

Location

Reviewers highlight negative aspects of location, with many expressing frustration over car park experiences... See more

Claim

People report negative experiences with the claim process, with many appeals being rejected even with... See more

Service

Clients share negative opinions on service, with many reviewers expressing extreme disappointment. Customers... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

We were actually working for the car park's owner when we got fined by their scamming car park management company, Initial Parking. Even though we appealed on that basis they still would not retract t... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

To our surprise Initial Parking made a new claim that Beacon near Lewes was a fee-paying car park. One of us paid £2 by card and has the bank statement showing that IP had received it. They denied... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

DISGRACEFUL SCAM - As many others I was fined £100 for parking in St Mary's Church Car Park in Betws-y-Coed Wales. Had poor GPS signal and only one machine was working. They combine your consideration... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

St Mary’s Church car park - Betsw y coed. This company are a disgrace. The ticket machine doesn't accept your full reg number - but does take payment. A week later you receive a £60 fine for not key... See more


1.1

Bad

TrustScore 1 out of 5

649 reviews

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1-star

No history of asking for reviews

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1.1

All reviews

(649)

101 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Fined while Volunteering at Local Soup Kitchen

Was issued a parking charge by Initial Parking for overstaying while volunteering at my local soup kitchen. Despite appealing and raising complaints, they have shown no consideration for my circumstances and have enforced the £60 fine. Absolutely heartless and completely lacking in compassion.

29 April 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Parked at Praa Sands

Parked at Praa Sands - after a few attempts on a couple of different machines it wouldnt accept payment by phone. Tried again with my credit card and put in the registration number, got to the end and paid and noticed the ticket had only printed with the first 2 letters of my reg. As I had paid and displayed the ticket assumed there would be no problem until I received a Parking Charge Notice. Have appealed but it has been declined due to full reg not showing - sent proof of my payment. They offered to close the matter if I pay £20 - definitely a dodgy company!! Avoid parking at any intial parking sites!!!

23 April 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Parked at Howarth Central Car Park

Parked at Howarth Central Car Park. Tried entering reg number 3 times. As soon as the first character was entered the machine went to the next step, not allowing for reg to be entered. Paid for my parking. Was sent a letter a week later with a parking charge for £100. Have since appealed but not holding my breath. Scam company.

26 April 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disgraceful experience, scammers

Disgraceful, got a 100£ fine for parking on my last day on Mousehole Car Park in Cornwall, despite it was a bank holiday (Easter Monday) and there was no reception, the machine also works like crap. I used the car park for 15 minutes.
I hope you spend my reduced £60 in medicines. I won’t bother appeal, take my money miserable worms and scum, you’re nothing less than a brown stain.
You can just visit their website to understand their only purpose is to collect money. Shady scammers, I do hope you fail as a company, definitively disgusting.

21 April 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Pathetic. Timed from minute entering. No grace. No care. Money grabbers!!!

We were hugely disappointed to receive a parking charge notice from ‘initialparking’ for parking at Mousehole, Cornwall.

When we arrived, we took a moment to decide how long we wanted to stay and took in the scenery. We had no idea that the clock was already ticking from the monent we had entered the car park, even though we hadn’t even made it to the parking machine.

Then we headed over to the parking machine and realised it could be used in conjunction with ‘Just Park’. Therefore, we loaded up the app, which took a while because the signal was poor, and keyed in how long we wanted to stay. By the time we’d finished doing that we were already 6 minutes in the car park and in to our stay (according to the cameras).

Once we had paid for the parking via the app. We continued with our trip around the harbour side village. When we got back it was raining heavily so it took us a while to load up, get the kids sorted not knowing we were still being monitored by the cameras. We left the car park 12 minutes over our 2 hours but had been with our vehicle for that entire duration. We stated on our appeal that surely there is a grace period particularly for a family of 5 with young children to take a little time unloading and loading..?

In short. They charged us £60 for effectively being 12 minutes over; even though we were actually with our vehicle for the entire fined ‘time’. I’m shocked they even included the 6 mins before we’d even paid too… unbelievable.

Our appeal was rejected within 37 mins! No humility. No care; just want to take money from hard working, tax paying people trying to support the local economy and give their children happy memories.

I will NEVER use an ‘Initialparking’ car park again… and I advise others to follow suit!

They obviously don’t read or care about their public profile either. The reviews on here, on Just Park and Facebook are horrendous! Why don’t they care? They need to care more. So poor.

18 April 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disgraceful!!!!!!

We overstayed our parking by an hour (paid for 4 hours and stayed for 5) at one of their car parks in Cornwall due to my daughter taking ill along the hike and so were forced to stop for a while. The hike was meant to be 3 hours long.

It was a Sunday, the car park was empty and the local cafe was closed. They did not lose any revenue as a result of us overstaying and now I have to pay £60 for the sake of an hour, equivalent to £2.

Seems like a money making act to me as their machines were cash only - who has cash only machines nowadays in rural Cornwall.

Disgraceful!!!!

13 April 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I have had a different experience

I have had a different experience, after I have parked in one of their managed carparks in Manchester, paid for the parking twice , I have received a nice letter home saying I didn't. I appealed with proof deom my bank statement and I have it canceled.

14 April 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Parked in one of their car parks solely…

Parked in one of their car parks solely to charge my electric vehicle. One of the passengers was a blue badge holder and there was no signs to say blue badge holders were not exempt. Appealed but they haven't even mentioned the blue badge in their reply. Parasites.

14 April 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely dreadful company

Parked my car (Helston), bought a ticket, machine didn't request my registration number. Got a letter saying I owed. Sent copy of the ticket I paid for and confirmation from my bank statement. Had my fine reduced to £20 but appeal not granted on grounds that vehicle registration was missing from my ticket. Dreadful. Shan't park there again.

7 April 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cowboy company talking utter bullshit…

Cowboy company talking utter bullshit saying I haven’t payed for parking when in fact I was informed that a gentleman who collects coins from the machine can wipe any information on the parking meters so they basically wipe your car registration details off

27 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Scam Artists

The grace period for paying your ticket to the time you leave is ridiculous. 5 minutes or more of being late either way will result to a PCN. Appeal process is just a sham, regardless of the amount of evidence you provide.

15 March 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Would give a zero if I could

Would give a zero if I could. Would have parked at my usual car park for a dog walk at Praa sands Maggie's field but it was full. Went to car park opposite initial runs it. Paid my usual £1 for an hour. Cash as only a £1 so no proof... I guess it's a legalised scam got ticket nearly 2 weeks later and had cleared out car for ticket proof. How many could prove by cash? Pay by credit card or avoid would be best as it seems appeals don't actually work either. Wonder if the other 2 cars got a ticket as well?

24 March 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Nothing more than a scam

Nothing more than a scam, the machines and apps don't work (deliberate) so you cant pay and then you get a fine

The site shows up on the app but wont let you pay

7 March 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

This is likely a scam and fraud.

This is likely a scam and fraud.

I did not enter my reg number but bought a ticket and sent them the evidence.
However, they did not respond to my appeal until I reminded them after around 27 days. They said they responded to my appeal on 28.1.2025 at 8:15, but my appeal was sent on the 27th in the evening. Consequently, I had to pay the unreduced charge.
I did not receive a response on January 28th; I double-checked my email inbox and spam folder and deleted the emails.

This company is a scam and a fraud.

27 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I paid for 2 hours parking and didn’t…

I paid for 2 hours parking and didn’t get a paper ticket. I failed to pay for the extra time of 37 minutes as I didn’t know when we arrived. £60 penalty fine for the privilege.
It’s a licence to print money without providing a service.
Clearly no one has a conscience in this organisation.

27 February 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Electric Mountain Car park

Stopped for 17 minutes to take my medication - car park was empty so i was not inconveniencing anyone - my appeal was rejected - zero compassion simple as

5 February 2025
Unprompted review

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