Visitors and residents have been left furious at "rip-off" fines at a Darlington car park - as worries persist for the long-term financial health of the nearby retail development. 

Feethams Leisure car park, at the DL1 complex in the centre of Darlington, has been criticised for its five-minute time limit to buy parking tickets, and "unfair" fines. 

Previously, furious Darlington residents and workers at the DL1 retail development branded the underground car park a “consistent problem”. 

Allegations have been levelled at the parking firm about their five-minute time limit – where customers have to buy a ticket within minutes of entering the car park, and any delay could land customers with a steep Parking Charge Notice (PCN), which often start at £100. 

Thomas Allison, from Newton Aycliffe, was shocked when a fine from the DL1 car park came through the front door only weeks after his daughter passed her driving test. 

But Emily, 20, was certain that she had paid the fine, and her bank statement showed a charge to car park owner Excel Parking. 

Thomas said: "We've heard of people having issues with the car park on social media groups - it seems like it is such a big problem for people. It's an absolute rip off.

"Emily had to download the app, but it took more than five minutes, probably because the car park is underground, and there's no signal.

"Emily had only passed her test two weeks before - so it has been a really off-putting experience for her. I'd encourage everyone to boycott the car park."

Jess Ivy-Mack has had a similar experience - Excel Parking is trying to get her in court for a visit to the car park in late April, despite paying £3.90 to the company. 

Jess's appeal, based on health circumstances having recently had a baby, was rejected by the company, and Jess has received fine reminder letters saying bailiffs had been instructed to collect the outstanding balance. 

Jess said: "I absolutely will not roll over and be fined £170 because I didn't pay within the five minutes. I would rather be taken to court."

A spokesperson for Excel Parking Services said: "In the two cases raised by The Northern Echo, the Parking Charges were issued as the first individual did not make payment of the tariff until 20 minutes after entering the car park and the second individual did not make payment until one hour and 18 minutes after entering the car park.

"At this car park there are three pay meters taking cash and two different pay by phone/ online options. We therefore see no reason for such a delay in making payment."

Earlier this year, Excel took Chris Davies, from Darlington to county court after he refused to pay a PCN levied at him by the parking chain.

His wife had paid to use the car park in September last year, whilst taking their young, autistic son into town, and had difficulty paying for a ticket within the five-minute limit. 

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Speaking to The Northern Echo earlier this month, Chris said he was "really really annoyed" at the letters the car park owners sent to his wife - and decided to fight his case in small claims court. 

Representing himself in court, Chris told the judge that the parking charge notice violated the Inequalities Act, and principles from contract law.

Chris said: “The judge dismissed the fine and said that the expectation to pay within five minutes wasn’t achievable or fair.”