Vinny Brownell has been told he’ll ‘have to pay in full’ despite leaving the car park after 30 minutesVinny Brownell dropped into McDonald's to get a coffee, but was issued with a parking fine Vinny Brownell dropped into McDonald’s to get a coffee, but was issued with a parking fine (Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

A business owner has had to enlist the help of McDonald’s staff after he was given a seven hour parking fine despite leaving for work after just half an hour. Vinny Brownell is contesting a penalty notice issued last October by UK Parking Control which alleged he left the McDonald’s restaurant car park at Aigburth Road in Dingle after being parked from 8am to 3pm.

Mr Brownell, who owns Allerton Furniture Centre on Admiral Street just a mile away, told the ECHO he in fact left the restaurant after 30 minutes. He visits most days on his way to work to pick up a coffee before opening his store at 9.30am.

In a bid to have his ticket thrown out, Mr Brownell has sought the support of staff at McDonald’s who have written a testimony in his favour. The statement, from store management, said the businessman never remains on site for more than 30 minutes.

At the L8 restaurant, the 41 spaces offer a maximum stay of 90 minutes at any one time. According to the notice to Mr Brownell, UK Parking Control – which manages the car park – alleged he left his vehicle in a space from 8am to 3pm in October last year.

He told the ECHO: “I wish I had that much time to spare. It’s only around the corner, I go in every weekday on my way to work.

Mr Brownall with the letter written by McDonald's staffMr Brownall with the letter written by McDonald’s staff(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

“It’s a bit frustrating, I tried to ring them to explain but I was told I would have to pay in full. Why should I? It never happened.

“I’m not there for seven hours, I don’t know whether the cameras are faulty.

“It has now got to the stage that court proceedings are in place. I think it’s despicable.”

The letter written to UK Parking Control in support of Mr Brownhall, a McDonald's regular The letter written to UK Parking Control in support of Mr Brownhall, a McDonald’s regular (Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

In a bid to have his fine thrown out, Mr Brownell, who has worked in the furniture trade for 42 years and run his business in L8 since 1995, has sought the support of the staff who serve his morning coffee at McDonald’s. In a statement, Kate Boyle, a shift manager at the store on Aigburth Road, wrote to clear her regular customer’s name.

This isn’t the first time the furniture shop owner has had to do battle with a parking fine, having already had an erroneous ticket at McDonald’s thrown out once before.

The ECHO contacted UK Parking Control for comment. No response was received ahead of publication.