I decided to do some pre-Christmas present browsing at the Enfield Retail Park. I went to Toys ‘R’ Us, Boots and JD Sports. I also stopped for a coffee at Costa Coffee.

I was not aware how long I was there for and drove off having had a pleasant time gaining lots of ideas for gifts, with the intention of returning to purchase what I had seen, which I did last week, spending more than £200 in the shops there.

Imagine my horror when I received a letter from Parking Eye Ltd, who manage the car park at this location, telling me I had over stayed my welcome by 22 minutes. Apparently you are only allowed a three-hour stay at the park.

What is going on? This site has empty units with companies who have gone out of business, new companies about to open but you won’t be able to shop and then stop for a bit of lunch because you need to leave in three hours. Why are Nandos and other food outlets going there? These big chain shops and food outlets like Marks & Spencer, Boots, Toys ‘R’ Us and JD Sports need the business but with only three hours to park this will drive shoppers away.

I wonder just how many people have been caught out by this money-grabbing parking management company. I for one will not be shopping there again and would rather pay for parking in a car park, which is a lot less than the fine I am now going to have to pay.

Shelagh Farrell

Herongate Road, Cheshunt