We were contacted today by a Rayleigh resident. One evening last week the resident parked on the forecourt of what used to be ATS tyres in Bellingham Lane in Rayleigh. Unfortunately a guy sitting in a car nearby was working for a private clamping company and the car was clamped pretty soon after the driver left it. End result – a ?245 charge.
From what we can gather the clamping company are lying in wait, they are getting 10-15 easy targets every night, and although they claim to charge only ?125 , their pick-up truck is close by and soon as that turns up- for any reason – they bump the charge up to ?245. Plus VAT. And a charge for taking credit cards.
Of course the ATS premises has closed down, so the forecourt isn’t apparently used for anything now – except for this particular (legal) money-making operation.
So be warned!
Mm but is it still legal?
The clamping company were employed by ATS – I remember an article in the Echo. BUT if ATS no longer own the land who are the clamping company working on behalf of? Or is this just a bit if enterprise on the side?
I’d check this one out a bit closer!
We are in discussions with ATS’ legal department…