NCP, a leading car park operator, continues to pursue drivers for outstanding parking fines despite going into administration earlier this year. The company, which managed approximately 340 car parks nationwide, faced financial challenges and was at risk of losing nearly 700 jobs when it entered administration in March.
Reports from The Times reveal that NCP’s administrators have already collected £402,000 in unpaid parking fines within the first month of the company’s administration. Prior to its collapse, NCP had a significant backlog of almost 100,000 unpaid parking charge notices. Despite the administration, NCP retains the authority to enforce existing fines and issue new ones.
Following the collapse, NCP shut down 29 of its car parks, while the remaining facilities continue to operate normally as administrators from PwC seek a potential new owner. NCP operates most of its car parks under lease agreements with freeholders. The company cited a decline in parking demand post-Covid, mainly due to reduced commuting as more people embraced hybrid work models, impacting its financial stability.
Particularly affected were NCP’s city-centre and commuter locations, compounded by challenges related to costly, long-term leases on unprofitable sites. Established in London in 1931, NCP is currently owned by Japanese company Park24, offering varied parking rates across its locations, with some central London spots charging up to £60 for a day’s parking.
Zelf Hussain, joint administrator at PwC, acknowledged the company’s struggles, highlighting the need to assess all options, including a potential sale of the business, to secure the best outcome for creditors. Hussain emphasized the priority of maintaining service continuity while conducting a thorough business review to navigate the challenging circumstances.
