“It’s like I have to lose £100 per week to work!” Holbeach business owner hit with more than 20 parking fines for loading his van

A business owner who has been slapped with more than 20 fines for loading his van says he has had to start factoring parking tickets into his costs.

Jamie Moore, who runs Jamie’s Carpets on Holbeach’s High Street, has labelled the situation laughable.

“Being where I am, I physically can’t park,” said Jamie, whose corner plot is surrounded by double yellow lines.

“It feels like I’m getting fined every other day for just working. Businesses in the town could fold because of this - we can't keep doing it.

“I’ve had 15-plus tickets recently. I’ve had my shop there since 2017 and I’ve had over 20 tickets in that time.”

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Jamie, 36, says the nearest available parking spaces to his store – near the now-closed Laddies Ices shop on Church Street – would mean lugging heavy carpets and equipment a difficult distance.

And even then, the size of his van means it would still be protruding onto the road.

“There’s nowhere to park whatsoever,” he added.

“I could park near where Laddies was but I can’t walk that with all my heavy stuff. And if I park on Church street my van’s too large and the back end sticks out on the road.

“It’s like every time I’m doing a job I’m giving them £25. I got a ticket last Monday and I was there for five minutes.”

Jamie also got a ticket at Holbeach Christmas Fayre when he closed his shop for a week to turn it into a Santa’s Grotto.

“That really bugged me,” he said, reflecting on getting the ticket as he was transforming the store to bring some cheer to local youngsters.

Jamie contacted LincsOnline after reading an article about neighbouring shop Chosen closing its doors.

Founder Mary Cooper explained one of the reasons the charity shop was stopping taking donations at the end of February was due to authorities clamping down on drivers stopping on double yellow lines outside its High Street shop.

“The Chosen lady is 100% right, there’s nowhere to park,” Jamie added.

“You just have to laugh. People say ‘I see you’ve got another ticket’.

“I can't do anything about it. If I’ve got a customer I have to look after them so I can’t keep going out to move my van.

“It’s like I have to lose £100 per week to work.”

Parking fines in Holbeach cost £25 if paid within two weeks, otherwise the cost trebles to £75.

However, Jamie also believes that while town traders are suffering many people who flaunt the rules aren’t being treated in the same way.

“They (traffic wardens) come at school time. But on Friday night when everyone’s getting their kebabs and going to the pubs Holbeach is packed, parking all along double yellow lines.

“Football day on Saturday, it’s mad. I love football so I’m not moaning about it, but it's manic down there.

“And by the church people park on the paths.

“They’re targeting people for trying to work. They’re targeting the wrong people.

“It’s getting to the point now where you can see why Chosen have decided to close.”