Euro Car Parks Fined £473,000 by Competition and Markets Authority

Euro Car Parks, a prominent UK car park operator, has been fined £473,000 by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for failing to respond to a legal information notice. This penalty marks the first use of the CMA's new fining powers, granted under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA). The CMA issued the information notice in July 2025, requiring Euro Car Parks to provide essential information as part of a potential investigation.

Euro Car Parks hit with £473k fine from competition watchdogEuro Car Parks fined £473k from UK’s competition watchdogBirmingham MailThe Guardian

Despite seven attempts by the CMA to obtain a response—including registered post, hand delivery, and multiple emails to company directors—Euro Car Parks did not respond for three months. The company only began to provide the requested information after the CMA indicated it was considering a fine. Euro Car Parks claimed it had blocked the CMA's emails, believing them to be fraudulent. However, the CMA deemed this explanation unreasonable and proceeded with the fine in December 2025.

Euro Car Parks hit with £473k fine from competition watchdogEuro Car Parks fined £473k from UK’s competition watchdogThe GuardianBirmingham Mail

The CMA's decision to impose a £473,000 fine reflects its commitment to enforcing compliance with legal obligations. Hayley Fletcher, the CMA's senior director of consumer enforcement, emphasized the importance of information notices, stating, “They are essential tools that help us understand the facts and get to the bottom of potential infringements of the law.” The CMA noted that timely responses to such notices are critical for effective regulatory action.

Euro Car Parks fined £473k from UK’s competition watchdog

The fine represents 75% of the maximum possible fixed charge that the CMA can impose for such breaches, which can be up to 1% of a company's annual turnover. The CMA is currently analyzing the information obtained from Euro Car Parks to determine whether further action is warranted.

Euro Car Parks fined £473k from UK’s competition watchdogEuro Car Parks hit with £473k fine from competition watchdogBirmingham MailThe Guardian

In response to the fine, Euro Car Parks has appealed the CMA's decision to the High Court. As a result, the fine is not payable until the appeal is resolved or withdrawn, unless ordered otherwise by the court. The company also sought an injunction to prevent the CMA from publicly naming it, but this request was denied by the court.

Euro Car Parks hit with £473k fine from competition watchdog

At present, the CMA does not have an open consumer enforcement case against Euro Car Parks, and it has stated that “no assumption” should be made regarding any infringement of consumer law by the company.

Euro Car Parks hit with £473k fine from competition watchdog

While the CMA's actions have been framed as a necessary enforcement measure, some critics argue that the penalties may not sufficiently deter non-compliance among large corporations. The CMA's new powers are part of a broader consumer protection initiative, which has seen the regulator open multiple investigations into various sectors, including online pricing and advertising tactics.

Euro Car Parks fined £473k from UK’s competition watchdog

• “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.” — Hayley Fletcher, Senior Director of Consumer Enforcement, CMA

Euro Car Parks fined £473k from UK’s competition watchdog

• “We are an evidence-based authority, and information notices are essential tools that help us understand the facts and get to the bottom of potential infringements of the law. It is a legal obligation to comply with them – they are not optional.” — Hayley Fletcher, Senior Director of Consumer Enforcement, CMA

Birmingham Mail