We set out plans to introduce charges in our car parks in 2018 and have carried out a number of years of research and consultation with partners, stakeholders and neighbours, as well as gaining the necessary statutory approvals from our Board and the Charity Commission.

The pandemic meant we had to put the project on hold, but at the start of this year we were once again in a position to progress. Over the last few months we’ve been developing things further, more on which is detailed in the bullet points below, and we are currently working towards late 2022 as a provisional ‘go live’ date.

We’ve always been clear that the charging system, which will include the first 30 minutes free parking for all, is being introduced to generate essential income to help cover the £400,000 annual cost of keeping the car parks open, as well as helping us to maintain and restore the Park and Palace, to ensure that they are here for everyone, for generations to come.

Progress in the first half of this year includes:

• Following a competitive tender exercise we have now appointed a parking provider, Euro Car Parks
• Euro Car Parks will be responsible for installing and managing the infrastructure we need for our charging system. Among the reasons we awarded them the contract is their experience and understanding of both our charitable status and our need to be flexible given the volume and variety of vehicles coming to the Park and Palace. Note that Euro Car Parks will be operating under our management at all times, rather than the operation being outsourced to them.
• The charging system will be barrier-free, with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras installed at the entrances of each car park. A number of pay terminals will be located around the site, with flexible payment options available (GooglePay, ApplePay, card, phone, web and the ParkBuddy app). All payments will be cashless.
• We’re now working through the final detail of the infrastructure required, such as camera positions and location of pay terminals etc, and aligning this with our visitor, partner and client requirements.

We are doing all we can now to get the system right from the start, however we remain ready to adapt the charging system, if required, once we see it in effect. For more detailed information visit our FAQ page and if you have any questions please contact us via visitor.services@alexandrapalace.com