Dozens of shoppers in Oldham claim they have been caught out and slapped with hefty fines after going to Elk Mill Shopping Park.

Visitors and residents who have spent the day at the retail park on Broadway, which has several shops and restaurants, have slammed a car parking company, GroupNexus, for its three-hour maximum stay rule, which many describe as "ridiculous" and unreasonable.

Many have reported that they have recently received a penalty charge notice (PCN) for shopping at the site, which has Curry's, Pets at Home, ASDA Living, Argos, Next, Boots, Sofology, The Range and Smyths among other shops, as well as Nando's, Frankie's & Benny's, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Costa, Subway and KFC restaurants.

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GroupNexus said the limit has been in force for four years and genuine shoppers can appeal their fine by "sharing evidence of their longer visit".

However, customers claim they have been caught out and their appeals have been unsuccessful.

Also read: Oldham man 'unfairly' fined £170 for eating at Toby Carvery

A visitor who posted their ordeal anonymously on social media said the three-hour limit is "worth knowing if you're socialising with friends in the restaurants there and doing some shopping", adding: "Time flies when you're having fun...£60 fine if you outstay your welcome."

It seems the shopper is not alone as another woman, Alex Jane, said she was also "got" by the company.

Ms Jane said she had gone to lunch, sofa shopping and then to Costa to meet a friend but was pursued "for years" by the car parking company before she settled and paid the fine.

Jo Tagg also said she was "chased" with fines after she visited the park twice in one day, as the company incorrectly thought she had not left the park when she had.

Meanwhile, Steph Masters said she tried to challenge her fine with proof she had shopped at the park but was ordered to pay £100 "as they didn't agree with me".

Ms Masters added: "I wonder what businesses think of this timescale as I certainly don't want to shop at Elk Mill anymore."

Another customer who was fined, Claire Brownrigg, added: "We went to Nandos, shopped at The Range then grabbed a coffee at Maccies.

"We hadn't seen each other for ages so it was a good catch-up.

"So disappointing." 

The problem has come to light as shoppers and staff claim, despite the signs being up "for years", the company has "only recently committed to fining people".

A staff member who works at the retail park said all staff have to submit their car registration plates to avoid the penalty, though a woman said her son who also works in the park has received three fines, despite working on those days.

Others confessed they weren't aware there was a limit and criticised the maximum stay as "ridiculous" and "disgusting".

Julie Lofthouse wrote: "It's a major shopping area with food places available, you could easily spend more than three hours."

When contacted by The Oldham Times, a spokesperson for GroupNexus said: "Elk Mill has had a three-hour maximum stay limit for the last four years to ensure spaces are available for customers.

"The maximum stay length is clearly communicated throughout the site, with 50 signs which comply with British Parking Association guidelines.

"If a customer does spend more than three hours at Elk Mill shopping or dining, they can appeal their fine by sharing evidence of their longer visit."

Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk