Trinity Place Car Park, Eastbourne
Preserving a Key Town Centre Car Park for Residents, Visitors and Local Businesses
Overview
When the closure of Trinity Place Car Park in Eastbourne was announced at short notice, there was a genuine risk that a valuable town centre parking facility would be lost to public use.
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With the Easter school holidays approaching and visitor numbers expected to rise, maintaining accessible parking was important not only for drivers, but also for local businesses, hospitality venues and the wider visitor economy.
Within days, BlueParking mobilised a complete parking solution, ensuring the site remained operational and available to the public without a prolonged interruption in service.
The Challenge
On 23 March, the previous operator announced plans to close Trinity Place Car Park.
The closure threatened to remove a significant amount of parking capacity from Eastbourne town centre at a time when demand was expected to increase due to seasonal tourism and local events.
A prolonged closure could have resulted in:
→ Reduced parking availability for visitors and residents
→ Increased pressure on nearby parking facilities
→ Potential impact on local retailers, restaurants and hospitality businesses
→ Challenges for commuters and town centre workers
→ Reduced convenience for visitors attending Eastbourne attractions and events
A rapid and practical solution was required to ensure parking provision could continue without disruption.
The Solution
BlueParking began discussions immediately following the closure announcement. By 27 March, an agreement had been reached to take over management of the site. On 28 March, our team successfully completed the installation and deployment of the required infrastructure, allowing the car park to remain operational for public use.
The implementation included:
Intelligent ANPR Cameras
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras were installed at the site to accurately record vehicle entry and exit activity, helping create a smoother flow of traffic while supporting efficient parking operations.
Custom Signage
New signage was designed and installed throughout the car park, clearly communicating parking terms and conditions, site information and payment options to drivers.
QR Code Parking Payments
Drivers were provided with a simple QR code payment option, allowing them to pay for parking quickly using their mobile device without needing to queue or download additional software.
Improved Customer Experience
The combination of ANPR technology, clear signage and multiple payment methods created a more straightforward parking experience while ensuring the site remained accessible to a wide range of users.
Created a Sustainable Revenue Stream
Prior to the transition, there was uncertainty surrounding the future operation of the site and its ability to continue generating value for the local area.
By keeping the car park operational and introducing modern parking technology, BlueParking helped transform Trinity Place into a professionally managed parking asset capable of generating a consistent and sustainable source of revenue.
The combination of ANPR technology, clearly displayed tariffs, digital payment options, improved customer communication created a structured parking environment that supports revenue collection while maintaining a straightforward experience for drivers.
This approach enables the site to:
Generate ongoing income from existing parking demand
Support the long-term viability of the car park
Reinvest in site improvements and customer experience
Better accommodate seasonal visitor demand and major local events
Maximise the value of a centrally located town centre asset
Supporting Eastbourne's Visitor Economy
Trinity Place Car Park is ideally positioned within Eastbourne town centre and provides convenient access to some of the area’s most popular destinations.
Nearby Attractions
Its central location makes it an important parking asset for both day-to-day visitors and major seasonal events.
Preparing for Future Demand
Eastbourne hosts a number of high-profile events throughout the year, most notably Airbourne, one of the UK’s largest free airshows.
Following the takeover, BlueParking engaged with local stakeholders and event organisers to ensure awareness that parking remains available at Trinity Place and to understand future demand requirements.
We continue to review opportunities including:
➜ Event parking strategies
➜ Customer journey improvements
➜ Future tariff optimisation
➜ Potential pre-booking functionality
➜ Enhanced visitor information and wayfinding
Parking Provision Maintained
The most immediate outcome was that the car park remained available for public use, preventing the loss of a key town centre parking facility.
Continued Support for Local Businesses
The site continued serving shoppers, diners, tourists and local workers, helping maintain convenient access to Eastbourne town centre and seafront attractions.
Modernised Parking Experience
The introduction of ANPR technology, digital payments, QR code functionality and improved signage created a more streamlined parking experience for drivers while reducing operational complexity.
Foundation for Future Growth
The rapid deployment ensured the site remained operational while creating opportunities for future enhancements, including event parking initiatives and improved visitor services.
Key Results
Site remained operational following closure announcement
Full deployment completed within days
ANPR technology installed and operational
New signage and parking information introduced with QR code payment option
Parking availability maintained ahead of Easter holidays
Continued support for local businesses and tourism
Ongoing planning for major events including Airbourne
Get in touch with BlueParking.
Speak with a parking specialist
Looking for a smarter way to manage and maximise your parking facilities? Complete the form with a few details about your parking requirements, and a member of the BlueParking team will be in touch to discuss a tailored solution designed around your site, operational needs, and business goals.
