Four hours of free parking set to end at Sussex leisure complex
Brighton Marina is set to end four hours of free visitor parking at its multi-storey car park.
APCOA has published a tariff starting at £1 for up to an hour, with a four-hour stay costing £4. Guests can stay for a maximum of 24 hours, for £24.
A start date has yet to be announced but a sign in the 1,500-space car park says the changes are ‘coming soon’.
The tariff applies seven days a week.
A photo shared in the Brighton People Facebook group shows a sign advertising a new pay-on-exit system. Brighton Marina’s visitor information still lists free parking for marina visitors with a four-hour limit. It lists up to two hours of customer parking at the separate Asda car park.
Some commenters said the charges could change where they spend their time.
“The parking is the only reason we go to the cinema there,” one wrote.
Another said: “I'll be going to Cineworld in Crawley from now on then.”
Others raised concerns about the layout of the car park.
“The spaces are too tight, the ramps up and down are too tight,” one commenter wrote.
Another said they would be comfortable with the change if prices were reasonable and drivers could stay longer than four hours.
It has been reported that the new system was intended to improve safety and security and help fund maintenance.
According to a report on the Brighton and Hove News website, free parking will ‘remain available’ for people who keep their boats at the marina, as well as ‘eligible site employees’.
Discussions are also said to be underway with David Lloyd health club.
APCOA says its standard tariff applies to Blue Badge parking.
According to its website, Brighton Marina is the largest of its kind in the UK and has ‘plenty to do for all ages’, within ‘picturesque waterfront surroundings’. It boats a number of restaurants; a Wetherspoons public house; an eight screen Cineworld cinema; 26-lane recently refurbished bowling alley; glow in the dark golf; and casino.