A man has been left bemused after a parking fine he was slapped with while collecting medicine for his 'high risk' parents was cancelled – but only after intervention from the Epping Guardian.

Scott Randall was fined £100 after parking in the empty car park at Loughton Nandos in Station Road – closed due to the coronavirus pandemic – on April 1.

The 50-year-old Woodford local was parked for less than twenty minutes as he crossed the road to pick up a prescription for his 'high risk' parents from the chemist across the road.

Scott's mother, a 75-year-old Loughton resident, suffers from white platelet cell deficiency and is under strict instructions not leave home to ensure her safety while Covid-19 sweeps the country.

A week later, Mr Randall was dismayed to receive a penalty charge notice in the post.

He lodged a formal appeal with the car park's operators, National Parking Enforcement.

“This is not something I would normally do. I am not somebody who worries about a car parking ticket”, he explained.

“But in this case, considering what is going on with the coronavirus, I found the fine gut-wrenchingly disgusting."

His appeal was rejected and when he contacted Nandos to see if they could help, he was told it was not their responsibility.

“Now, I am a very regular Nandos customer. However, when I told them the story they did not want to do anything.

“The National Parking Enforcement, who run the car park, basically said 'tough' while Nandos said 'ooh, nothing to do with us' and I thought 'well hang on a minute, its your car park?'”

Following this, Scott got in touch with the Epping Guardian and we agreed to do a story on the fine.

Within minutes of the Epping Guardian contacting National Parking Enforcement for their comment, the company emailed Scott to let him know the charge was going to be cancelled.

“I was a bit confused”, said Scott. “None of the circumstances had changed from when I had appealed. I find it sad that things only changed when the press were brought in.”

A spokesperson for National Parking Enforcement said: "Due to the circumstances the charge has been cancelled."

Nandos declined to comment.

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