DRIVEN OUT
AIRPORT MEET AND GREET FIRM SHUTS AFTER M.E.N. EXPOSES IT FOR LEAVING HOLIDAYMAKERS’ VEHICLES IN PUB CAR PARKS
AN AIRPORT meet and greet parking firm exposed by the M.E.N. for leaving cars in pub car parks has closed down.
We launched an investigation last summer after we were flooded with horror stories from motorists about several firms after they had returned from holiday to find worrying dash-cam footage – and questionable mileage.
Despite slick websites offering secure compounds with 24-hour surveillance and manned sites, the M.E.N. found it was not always as it seems with some of the companies.
And among the firms – which are nothing to do with the official airport meet and greet service – was Cheshire Meet and Greet. Our footage showed its staff using the Cornishman pub on Cornishway, Wythenshawe, to drop cars on their way to and from the airport.
Groupon, a ‘deal of the day’ service which attracted many customers, has confirmed it took Cheshire Meet and Greet off its books in November.
And an email from Cheshire Meet and Greet boss Lee Anderson’s account has now confirmed that the firm has ceased trading.
The M.E.N. found the company – which promised ‘24-hour on site security and 24-hour monitored CCTV’ on its website – did monitor the pub’s CCTV and had another secure base in Lymm.
But we were at the site for three days last July and witnessed times in the morning when the pub was closed and the car park was not manned.
There was no fencing and the bays were accessible from the road. The firm charged £15 a day, £35 a week or £57 for a fortnight’s parking.
Cheshire Meet and Greet was not alone – other firms were reported for parking cars on Wythenshawe streets, shoddy service and even lost cars.
Wythenshawe MP Mike Kane has dealt with numerous complaints from his constituents about the issue – with residents left unable to park near their homes or disturbed by cars being driven, often at high speeds, late at night.
He said: “The work done by the M.E.N. to raise awareness of this issue is key in the battle by Manchester Airport, the council and myself to tackle this problem.”
He said introducing residents-only parking near the airport had also seen results, adding: “The airport and the council are taking action against these
firms who purport to offer a service of parking people’s cars securely while they go on holidays but do no such thing, leaving them on the streets or pub car parks.”
Manchester council and Manchester Airport have worked together with the British Parking Association in a bid to tackle the problem, with measures including the threat to tow vehicles from land where they have leasehold.
Coun Nigel Murphy, executive member for neighbourhoods, said: “Cowboy firms offering ‘airport meet and greet’ services have caused serious issues in our neighbourhoods and have also let down a string of holidaymakers. We are taking enforcement action against these companies and are determined to put a stop to the inconvenience, disturbance and worry they cause.
“I encourage anyone who has experienced problems with airport meet and greet companies to contact us.”
A Manchester Airport spokesman said: “As we move into the summer season we’d like to remind passengers that the airport offers a wide range of car parking facilities and is also well connected via public transport.
“Anyone with any doubts about their meet and greet car parking can verify it with our customer services team.”
If you suspect that a car has been ‘meet and greet parked’ in your neighbourhood, or if you are a holidaymaker who has been affected, contact wyth. team@manchester.gov.uk.