Mecca Bingo Sunderland is a popular city centre venue offering entertainment and bingo sessions to a large customer base. With a convenient location and steady footfall, the club relies heavily on its dedicated 40-space car park to ensure ease of access for members and staff.
However, the prime central location also attracted high volumes of unauthorised parking from nearby establishments, quickly becoming a growing concern for the business.
The venue’s car park began to experience persistent unauthorised use by individuals not associated with Mecca Bingo. This included students from a neighbouring college, employees from nearby offices, and general city centre visitors such as high-street shoppers, who took advantage of the unrestricted access.
As a result, genuine customers were often unable to find parking, leading to:
In addition to these issues, the site’s over flow posed serious operational risks. Emergency vehicle access was frequently blocked, which not only threatened the safety of visitors but also compromised regulatory compliance.
The situation called for a well-structured and robust parking management system to deter unauthorised use and prioritise customer convenience.
After a comprehensive on-site assessment and consultation with the Mecca Bingo, Minster Baywatch implemented following parking solution to tackle the challenges:
Strategically Placed Signage: Transparent and prominent signage was installed throughout the car park. These signs outlined the terms of use, stating that the facility is strictly for Mecca Bingo customers, allowed parking duration and is subject to monitoring. This served as both a deterrent and a legal requirement for enforcement.
Installation of ANPR Cameras: Advanced Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology was deployed to monitor all vehicles entering and exiting the premises. The system ensures accurate vehicle registration tracking and supports consistent enforcement.
Active Parking Enforcement: Automated enforcement through the ANPR system ensured unauthorised users received parking charge notices. This created an effective deterrent against misuse while safeguarding genuine users. The ANPR is integrated with online system displaying detailed dashboard
The introduction of a comprehensive parking management system yielded immediate and positive results:
Dramatic Reduction in Unauthorised Parking: With enforcement in place, unauthorised use of the car park declined significantly. Drivers unrelated to the venue were discouraged from parking on-site, freeing up essential spaces for Mecca Bingo customers and staff.
Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Venue customers and employees were once again able to access convenient on-site parking, improving the overall visitor experience and helping the club maintain its reputation.
Improved Safety and Accessibility: With reduced congestion, emergency access routes were no longer obstructed, minimising operational risks and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
By implementing ANPR technology, adequate signage, and reliable enforcement procedures, Minster Baywatch successfully transformed a misused and congested car park into a well-managed facility that fully supports Mecca Bingo Sunderland’s operational needs. This case study demonstrates the impact of innovative parking solutions in high-traffic urban settings and the importance of safeguarding spaces for legitimate users.