HASTINGS CENTRE’S ANSWER TO ‘ENJOYABLE’ PARKING

When has paying for parking become enjoyable and stress free? The Hastings Centre in East Sussex believes it has found the answer. Its own 160 space car park! The business, leisure and conference venue at The Ridge, Hastings, invests profits back into the good of the local community, primarily through employing people who have been unemployed for some time and are looking for an opportunity to be trained and equipped with skills, as well as through donations to local charities. For Centre Manager Stuart Clark carried out an extensive amount of research prior to the opening of their car park on The Ridge, Hastings, opposite the Conquest Hospital, two and a half years ago. He investigated and discovered that people wanted simple terms and conditions for parking at a reasonable rate. And the BPA approved the tariff board containing the relevant terms and conditions. So the Hastings Centre charges 50p per hour – £5.50 for 24 hours – and encourages drivers to pass on their tickets if they do not use up their time. Said Stuart: “We encourage people to seek out other people to give them their transferable ticket if they haven’t completed their time. “We say to people feel free to hand your ticket to the next person looking for a parking spot. And if there’s an overpayment we give this to a local charity. “We are not here to profit out of people who use our car park. And those who buy a hot drink at the centre’s coffee shop are entitled to two hours free parking. “The car park at the 2,000 capacity business, leisure and conference event centre is here to be of benefit, not hindrance to our visitors. We believe we are going the extra mile.” He added that visitors to the hospital were allowed to park at the Hastings Centre which was cheaper. As a result, they were busy all the time. Said the Metric Group’s Sales and Marketing Director Richard Boultbee: “The Hastings Centre has created a feel good factor which is most refreshing in the parking industry. “I am sure this is a first in the parking industry for a company to actively encourage handing over unused time on their tickets.”

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