McMullens pub deters car-park abusers with number-plate recognition technology

The Queen Victoria in Theydon Bois, Essex, turned to the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system a fortnight ago after it found car park spaces were being filled by commuters and local workers.

Now, anyone using the car park will have to tap in their registration number on a touchscreen in the main bar area. Failure to do so will result in a parking fine.

McMullen & Sons retail director Heydon Mizon said ANPR is a “proven technology” that was installed at no cost and is free for customers to use.

“At the moment there is no parking space for our customers – they are generally filled by people who work in the area or people who commute.

Mizon explained that it only takes a second for customers to tap in their registration details – but if it was found that the system was being abused and people were walking straight of the pub again, stricter control would have to be implemented.

“If that were to happen, then we would probably have to key in people’s registration details ourselves.”

He added: “We have the technology on a trial basis, so if doesn’t achieve the aim that we want it to, then it will be removed at the provider’s cost. So far though, it’s worked really well.”

“It’s definitely a last resort option for us, but we would look to roll it out to other pubs that have a similar problem.”

A spokesman for Creative Parking, which installed the ANPR, said: “Our operations and surveying teams have worked together to devise a parking system that will ensure the car park is used in the manner it was intended.

"McMullens is keen to uphold the needs of the local community as this is at the heart of their philosophy, but equally, they don’t want visitors to be discouraged by a lack of parking.”