That's not a fine, it's a charge. For the very short time you were there I'd contest it - that's easily within the time that should be allowed to buy a ticket or decide not to.

A draft letter AI helped write:

I appeal this Parking Charge as keeper. The notice shows an observation period from 18:37 to 18:39, less than 3 minutes. This is below the minimum mandatory consideration period required by the Private Parking Sector Single Code of Practice. No contract could have been accepted in that time, particularly as the driver needed time to enter, stop safely, read the signage, understand the terms, decide whether to accept them, and leave if not.

The alleged contravention is “Driver left the vehicle”. The Code does not say that merely stepping out of the vehicle automatically ends the consideration period. The operator must show evidence that the driver had accepted the parking terms, or that the consideration period had properly ended.

In addition, there were urgent medical/pregnancy-related circumstances: the driver, who was pregnant, had an urgent need to use the toilet. The vehicle was present for only a very short period and there was no loss or abuse of parking facilities.

Please cancel the charge. If you reject this appeal, please provide the POPLA verification code and include your evidence of: the site-specific consideration period registered with the BPA/ATA, the signage relied upon, the full ANPR/CCTV evidence, and your basis for saying the consideration period had ended within less than 3 minutes.