Peak pub's parking fine u-turn after bad TripAdvisor review

The joint owner of a Peak District pub at the centre of a parking row refused to overturn a '˜fine' on a customer after she gave them a bad online review.
Devonshire Arms BaslowDevonshire Arms Baslow
Devonshire Arms Baslow

Samantha McHattie - who runs the Devonshire Arms in Baslow with her husband David - had agreed to revoke the £60 charge imposed after Katie Wilson visited in August.

Mrs McHattie changed her mind, however, citing Ms Wilson’s bad Trip Advisor review of the Devonshire Arms and her negative reviews more generally as a reason for her change of heart.

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Katie Wilson, of Chesterfield, said: “I was not rude or abusive. I merely posted on Trip Advisor about what had happened. I am absolutely livid. I spend £1,000 in the pub every year but will never go there again.

Parking signs Devonshire Arms BaslowParking signs Devonshire Arms Baslow
Parking signs Devonshire Arms Baslow

“There is absolutely no way I am going to pay the fine - I am prepared to take it all the way to court.”

The pub controversially introduced car park fines to stop unauthorised use but last month joint owner - David McHattie - said they would ‘sort out’ the fines if genuine customers contacted them and could produce a receipt.

The Devonshire Arms have not responded to repeated requests for a comment.

The email the pub sent to Katie Wilson

The Devonshire Arms in Baslow.The Devonshire Arms in Baslow.
The Devonshire Arms in Baslow.
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“I have seen your review entitled parking scam. I am deeply offended by your accusation.

“The parking system is not a scam at all - it is a step we have had to take to protect misuse.

“We pay a lot of money to cancel tickets for guests who missed the signs as I offered to do for you.

“Because of the review I am not willing to do this so the ticket will remain your responsibility.

Parking signs Devonshire Arms BaslowParking signs Devonshire Arms Baslow
Parking signs Devonshire Arms Baslow
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“As an aside, I notice that you have not left a single positive review for anywhere you visited.

“If you only take the time to write negative reviews you are being unfair to the operators and consumers who use Trip Advisor.”