One of my local Pubs, which I’ve been using for years now, is owned by Punch Taverns. I frequent the Pub on a regular basis and it’s not uncommon for me to leave my Car overnight, get a Taxi home all with the permission of the landlord.

This happened a couple of days back, however when I went to retrieve the Car, it was missing, went in to the Pub and asked the usual questions, no landlord around, and was told by staff that it was probably taken under a new scheme that was introduced a few days earlier by Punch Taverns, see pic.

Left numerous messages on the answer phone of the Towing Company, no replies, went back later to speak to the landlord later and was told nothing to do with him as he didn’t know that the Car belonged to me.

Got a voice mail this morning from the Towing Company saying the Car was removed because it wasn’t displaying a ‘Permission to Park’ in the window and that both the Clamp fee and Towing fee is payable together with the Daily Storage fee and the Car will not be released until full payment is met.

Tried ringing the Towing Company again, No Answer, Answering Machine. Probably going to have to wait now till Monday Morning.

In the Process of trying to contact the landlord, no, joy will probably have to wait till this evening.

Any Thoughts?

Chris (Now missing one of my MV6’s) 

Ouch!!

This is going to end up being very expensive Chris!

Martin Imber wrote on 14. Nov 2009 at 14:43:


lol I would not do that Chris!!  You will end up being done for wasting police time, and suffering even greater costs!

Jimbob wrote on 14. Nov 2009 at 14:47:


No I didn't Jimbob, theres 3 Notice's, 2 of them too low to see if Cars are parked in front of them, the 3rd is on a wall towards the back of the Car Park which you wouldn't see if your parked near the Entrance (its been put up next to another Clamping sign which has been there for years,

See Pic's - Now you see them, Now you dont.

I'm not an expert on these situations but if you're as well known to the landlord as you suggest, I would ask him to square it.

Unfortunately it's going to cost someone because the clamping firm isn't likely to be happy to give a refund.

There's no way a pub can operate like that with regulars.

zirk wrote on 14. Nov 2009 at 15:37:


That is a very true Zirk, and perhaps Chris should go to the local press with his story of leaving his car because he was unfit to drive after drinking, but although showing great responsibility ended up having his car towed away by the Pub Management!  Imagine how stupid they are going to look, and how many customers they could lose!

Chris_H wrote on 14. Nov 2009 at 15:35:


Already tried that one Chris, He's having nothing to do with it and like you say The Lifting Co are Contracters under instructions, so their going to want there money from someone, Thing the best I can do is to try an offer them a deal.

If it goes to Monday, its going to up to 535 quid. 

Take the car back - they are holding it illegally, go round with 15 or 20 large mates and the keys.

Contact local radio and press and stir it as much as possible