Drivers ‘Raging’ After 1,000 ‘Fake’ Parking Tickets Put on Cars

A barber sparked fury after placing 1,000 fake parking tickets on cars to promote his business.  

Jack Louis, who runs his own men’s hair styling salon in Great Dunmow, Essex, left leaflets designed to look like official penalty charge notices on windscreens across the town.

Instead of a fine, the “tickets” contained a voucher for £5 off a haircut — a stunt that split opinion among locals. Jack, 35, said he was visited by PCSOs after complaints, but insisted rising costs meant businesses had to “shout the loudest” to be noticed.

Great Dunmow Town Council criticised the tactic, saying anything that mimics an enforcement notice is “inappropriate”.

Jack, who has run his community barbershop for nine years, said:  

“You have to reinvent the wheel and get creative. Some people said it caused them stress — that wasn’t the intention. But it’s got people talking, which was the aim.”

He said the vouchers could help people struggling with rising costs, while also boosting footfall for the shop.

The stunt cost him £140 — £70 for the fake PCNs and £70 for printing vouchers worth £5,000 in total. Reactions online ranged from amusement to anger.

One local wrote:  

“Open it, laugh, chuck it in the bin and go on about your day.”

Another said their partner was “raging”, while a third branded the idea “disgraceful”.

Jack said the cost‑of‑living crisis, rising national insurance and soaring prices for supplies — including hairspray now costing him £80 a month — had made business tougher.

With seven barbers on the high street, he said standing out was essential.  

“Typical leaflets end up in the bin. This grabbed attention. Around 50 people have already come in with their voucher.”

Police spoke to him about the stunt but confirmed it wasn’t illegal.

A spokesperson for Great Dunmow Town Council said some residents had been “understandably distressed”, adding:  

“Placing anything on a vehicle that mimics an enforcement notice risks causing unnecessary alarm.”

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