Car Park Operator Penalised £473,000 After Failing to Respond to CMA Communications
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has imposed a substantial £473,000 penalty on Euro Car Parks for persistently ignoring legally binding information requests. This marks the first instance where the regulator has utilised its newly granted fining powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
Repeated Attempts to Secure a Response Were Ignored
In July 2025, the CMA issued Euro Car Parks with a formal information notice, a legal instrument requiring the company to provide specific details. Over the subsequent three months, the authority made seven separate attempts to elicit a response. These efforts included delivery by registered post, hand-delivery to company premises, and multiple emails directed to senior directors. Despite these varied and documented approaches, Euro Car Parks failed to engage with the CMA entirely.
Only after the CMA explicitly notified the company of its intention to levy a financial penalty did Euro Car Parks finally begin to cooperate and supply the necessary information. The company later claimed it had blocked the CMA's communications, alleging it believed the emails were fraudulent attempts to scam the business. The CMA dismissed this explanation as an unreasonable excuse for non-compliance.
Legal Action and the Imposition of the Fine
Euro Car Parks also sought to prevent the CMA from publicly naming the company by applying to the High Court for an injunction. This legal manoeuvre was unsuccessful, with the court refusing the application following a hearing. The £473,000 fine, representing 75% of the maximum possible fixed charge, was formally imposed in December 2025. Under its enforcement remit, the CMA can issue penalties of up to 1% of a company's annual turnover for such breaches.
Significance of Information Notices and Regulatory Powers
Information notices are critical tools for the CMA, enabling the evidence-based authority to gather facts and assess whether a full investigation into potential legal infringements is warranted. Timely responses are essential for the regulator to perform its duties effectively and protect consumers across the United Kingdom.
Hayley Fletcher, Senior Director of Consumer Enforcement at the CMA, stated: "This is the first time we've used our new powers to fine a company for failing to respond to such a notice – and it sends a clear message: firms that don't reply to our requests or refuse to comply risk facing penalties like this one. Compliance is a legal obligation, not an option."
Broader Context and Ongoing Analysis
The CMA is currently analysing the information obtained from Euro Car Parks to determine if a formal consumer enforcement case should be initiated. At present, no such case is open against the company. The penalty follows the launch of a major CMA consumer protection initiative, which has seen eight investigations opened into online pricing and advertising practices across various sectors. By ignoring the CMA's notice, Euro Car Parks delayed the regulator's work, forcing it to expend additional time and resources to secure the required data.
