A list of the UK places where motorists are most likely to get handed a parking fine has been released… and it’s grim reading for Mancs.
That’s because our city has, unfortunately, claimed the top spot.
In recent months, Manchester has found itself either at the top of, or ranking amongst, a couple of not-so-desirable lists, including being home to the ‘nosiest’ neighbours, the city with the lowest rate of fixed reported potholes, and, probably the worst of them all, one of the UK’s ‘chlamydia capitals’.
And now it seems we’ve done it again – but this time around, it’s drivers who need to take note and keep an eye on where they leave their vehicles.
Manchester’s less-than-ideal new title as the UK’s number one parking fine hotspot comes after injury lawyer experts at Claims.co.uk recently carried out a study where they analysed Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) data from 2020 to 2021 in a bid to find out which towns, cities, and regions have been the hardest hit by motoring fines.
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Manchester motorists are the most likely to get a parking fine in the UK / Credit: PublicDomainPictures | IPTC (Ronald Hudson)
On top of this, they also looked at which UK areas residents have been the most successful at appealing these notices.
As mentioned, Manchester came in at number one on the top 10 list, with an eye-watering rate of 99,348 PCNs issued per 100,000 people – which is a whopping 901.33% higher than the national average of 9,922 notices per 100,000 people.
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Manchester saw the most penalty charge notices issued of any area in the UK, with 546,270 fines issued overall, and considering that the population of the area that the City of Manchester covers is only 549,853, that’s almost one penalty charge notice for every person.
Of those 546,270 fines, only 660 were appealed, and just 478 were successfully overturned following those appeals.
Brighton and Hove, Reading, Cambridgeshire, and Nottingham round out the top five.
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The top 10 parking fine hotspots in the UK
Manchester
Brighton & Hove
Reading
Cambridgeshire
Nottingham
Bristol
Cardiff
Slough
Portsmouth
Derby
The city has been named the UK’s top PCN hotspot / Credit: Ocean Outdoor
Elsewhere on the list, Bristol has secured sixth place, with the Welsh capital of Cardiff trailing not so far behind, followed by Slough and Portsmouth, and the midlands city region of Derby rounding out the top 10 rankings.
Across each area of the UK, the average number of PCNs issued over the period worked out to be 26,512 – which is a total of 9,922 per 100,000 people.
On the other end of the spectrum, Hyndburn in Lancashire was revealed as the UK area that’s the least likely to be hit with a PCN, seeing only a minuscule 46 fines issued between 2020 and 2021, which works out to a rate of just 56 fines per 100,000 people.
Chester Zoo needs a new Zoo Ranger to patrol among rare giraffes, tigers, and more
Emily Sergeant
Looking for a career change? Well it surely doesn’t get better than this.
Chester Zoo is currently hiring for a new Zoo Ranger to join their team, and the new recruit will have the pleasure of working in a setting like no other – patrolling among rare giraffes and tigers, and within stunning gardens across a 128-acre estate.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo currently has a vacancy open for a Zoo Ranger, and according to the job description on its website, this is a ‘key role’ working as part of the Conservation Education and Engagement Team, and is one of the most central to visitors’ experiences at the zoo.
The team develop and deliver material to engage visitors with the zoo’s animal collection and worldwide conservation work through a range of diverse, fun, and exciting educational experiences.
For this permanent role, you will need to work 35 hours a week, operating on a two-week roster working every other weekend.
Chester Zoo needs a new Zoo Ranger to patrol among rare giraffes, tigers, and more / Credit: Chester Zoo
The successful applicant will be tasked with interacting with visitors of all ages – including children, families, and other audiences – in groups that could vary from just one individual up to a crowd of about 500, and they will be expected to deliver talks, table-top activities, play-based activities, and storytelling with mascots, puppets, and roleplay.
The ideal candidate will have a wide-ranging knowledge of the natural world, a creative mind, and have the ability to confidently deliver stories, shows, games, and other interactive engagement styles for visitors.
Good organisational and time management skills, the ability to work as part of a team, and excellent customer service skills are also needed.
In return, Chester Zoo offers an ‘excellent’ benefits package for this permanent role.
This includes access to a healthcare plan, 33 days paid holidays per year, a staff pass so that you can visit the zoo for free, and complimentary tickets for friends and family.
Due to the nature of the organisation and the role, this post is subject to a DBS check, and the closing date for applications is Sunday 9 November 2025.
A pop-up ‘sunshine booth’ is landing in Manchester to combat winter blues
Emily Sergeant
A sunshine booth shining special SAD lighting is coming to Manchester this week to combat those winter blues.
As the rain continues to pour down outside and the colder days really begin to set in as autumn draws to a close, Holland & Barrett, the UK’s leading health and wellness retailer, says it’s on a mission to help the nation stay well this winter.
With the days getting shorter and darker, the average Brit will see around nine hours less of sunlight than in peak summer.
The drop in daylight, coupled with both the drop in temperature and the onset of the usual common cold season, can often be found to take a toll on our mental and physical wellbeing, leaving us feeling a little more dull than we’d like to be – which is why Holland & Barrett’s ‘Sunshine Booth’ will be popping up across UK high streets to brighten Brits’ winter wellness routines.
The brightly coloured Sunshine Booth has been crafted with expert lighting, using the lighting featured in SAD lamps.
A pop-up sunshine booth is landing in Manchester to combat winter blues / Credit: Pixnio
It’s designed to mimic effects of natural light to help customers feel relaxed and refreshed.
Landing inside Holland & Barrett’s store over at the Trafford Centre later this week, the retailer is inviting customers to pop in and spend up to 20 minutes inside the calming booth to ‘pause and recharge’.
Those looking to brighten their day can pop into Holland & Barrett at the Trafford Centre this Friday (7 November) to visit the Sunshine Booth, with no prior appointment or ticket required.
Not only that, but the first 10 customers who visit will receive a Holland & Barrett goody bag worth £50, packed with products to support winter wellness, boost your immune system, and provide you with additional energy.
Emily Sergeant -
12th February 2024 
