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Heading out to treat herself with Matalan vouchers - this was the last thing she expected.

Mum-of-two Lisa Taylor, 47, has been left fuming after being slapped with a parking fine.

Mrs Taylor, from Yarm, had spent just over two-and-a-half hours mooching around the shops at Bride Road retail park, central Stockton, on the hunt for Christmas gifts and a pair of shoes.

But days later an unwelcome letter landed on the retail assistant's doormat, demanding £100 for breaching the site's terms and conditions which specify a two-hour maximum stay.

She feels it's "really shocking" and has launched an appeal.

(Image: Ian Cooper / Teesside Live)

She told Teesside Live: "You know women, I can spend an hour in Home Bargains and certainly more than that in Matalan.

"I had my vouchers, I thought I would treat myself.

"It's the two hour thing.

"Two hours is just confusing, especially to older people as well - who's going to go up and look at the sign?

"I think it's fair enough if you are taking the mick, if you are parking there and go to Stockton High Street.

"I didn't go anywhere else, I literally just went to three shops.

"It's confusing, I think it's shocking really."

Despite an appeal explaining how she was a genuine customer, accompanied with receipts from shops at the retail park, Premier Park has upheld the fine.

Husband, Raymond Taylor, 51, a heavy goods driver, said: "It seems like daylight robbery.

"You are getting fined for doing your shopping. It's not like she's parked in double yellows.

"It's definitely putting her off. She's got one of these black Matalan cards which means she's a good customer.

"It's definitely put us off going back there again.

"I think coming up to Christmas there's a strong possibility there's people getting caught out by this."

(Image: Ian Cooper / Teesside Live)

Mrs Taylor isn't the first person to complain about a fine at the site.

Teesside Live reported last month how nurse Susan Tucknott, 41, was slapped with a fine after parking there to watch the Stockton Fireworks display.

The James Cook Hospital nurse who lives in Linthorpe said: "On entering I did not notice the one and only sign erected by the parking company advising people not to park.

"In fact, when I went today to check the signs in the car park this sign was lying on the floor.

"We enjoyed the fireworks display and returned to the car only to (find it was) grid locked to get out.

"The fine itself is under the technicality that I exceeded the maximum stay period, however this is completely unfair as I was technically unable to get out of the car park."

Last year John Richardson, 71, had parked there before heading into town with wife Patricia to go to the bank.

"There are significant numbers of people who are totally unaware of this, and assume they are OK to park for two hours without any problems," he said at the time.

After complaining to a manager in Matalan, Mrs Taylor says her fine has been reduced to £15.

She added: "I didn't go anywhere else, I literally just went to those three shops.

"I'm there spending my money and it's confusing what it states, I didn't see the signs but for one they are not big enough.

"The time limit is confusing, you think you are OK to leave your car outside Matalan and nip across to Wynsors or Home Bargains and I've been penalised for that and I think it's not clear."

(Image: Teesside Live/Katie Lunn)

A response to Mrs Taylor's appeal from Premier Park said the fine was upheld as she exceeded the maximum stay period "with no authority to do so".

It said: "We would advise that the signage on site clearly sets out the terms and conditions of parking, including the maximum stay period.

"There are no exceptions to these terms, therefore, even as a genuine customer of the shopping park, you were subject to the advertised terms and conditions."

It added: "We note you have admitted you walked off site to visit Wynsors and Home Bargains. Each of these have their own car parks, therefore, you have now admitted to contravening a further term and condition detailed on the signage."

Teesside Live also contacted Premier Park directly for comment on this matter.