Maximising Value: The Impact of Car Park Management on UK Commercial Property Portfolios
Securing Car Parks in Residential Developments: A Comprehensive Guide
02/05/2024
Why ANPR is the Optimal Choice for Most Car Parks
19/06/2024
A few weeks ago, Park & Control exhibited at a trade show for independent property owners and managers. The event was filled with insightful conversations and innovative ideas. One recurring theme was the challenges property owners face in managing large commercial properties in urban areas. Inspired by these discussions, let’s explore what truly matters to property owners in the UK, highlighting the importance of effective car park management.
Optimising Car Park Management
In urban settings, parking is a premium amenity often overlooked for its commercial potential. Efficiently managing car parks can significantly enhance tenant satisfaction and property appeal. By transforming car parks from cost centres into revenue-generating assets, property owners can unlock hidden value. Effective car park management involves creating a seamless experience for users, enhancing security, and generating additional revenue.
Introducing Urban Hubs
Inspired by our parent company, APCOA, Park & Control promotes Urban Hubs—innovative solutions designed to optimise and monetise car parks. These hubs integrate various services and technologies to attract more visitors, support local communities, and enhance sustainability. In 2023 alone, Urban Hubs initiatives added over £2.4 million in extra revenue for our clients.
Key Features of Urban Hubs:
• Collection Lockers: Provide convenient services for your community while generating steady income.
• Clothing Donation Units: Simple to install and support local charitable efforts.
• Car Rental and Last Mile Delivery Hubs: Support modern mobility solutions and eco-friendly deliveries.
• Vehicle Services: Including car valuation, car washes, and water refill stations.
• Retail and Food Services: Drive-thru coffee units and retail installations enhance visitor experience and generate significant revenue.
Urban Hubs demonstrate how car parks can be transformed into profit centres, adding value to your property portfolio.
Navigating Tenant Retention and Satisfaction
Achieving high tenant retention is a top priority for many property owners. Happy tenants mean long-term leases, stable revenue, and a positive reputation. One key strategy to enhance tenant satisfaction is ensuring seamless parking. Park & Control addresses this with Parkway, a flexible and ethical ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system. Parkway helps reduce unauthorised vehicles, ensuring legitimate visitors have convenient access to parking, thereby enhancing overall tenant satisfaction.
How do you keep your tenants satisfied and ensure they stay long-term? We’d love to hear your successful strategies. Remember, a well-managed car park significantly enhances tenant satisfaction by providing convenience and security.
Ensuring Regulatory Compliance
Staying compliant with ever-changing regulations is crucial. Data protection is a common regulatory challenge in car park management. Park & Control ensures that the data we hold for car park management purposes is secure and used appropriately. This involves liaising with the DVLA and establishing an effective and transparent appeals process. Clear, fair, and effective signage is also essential.
How do you stay updated with regulatory changes and ensure compliance? Perhaps you rely on specific tools or professional advice. Ensuring your car parks meet safety and accessibility standards is also crucial.
The Art of Maintenance and Upkeep
A property that looks pristine requires diligent maintenance and proactive upkeep. Regular inspections and timely repairs preserve property value and enhance tenant satisfaction. Park & Control is transforming car park management from physical to digital. We are moving away from cumbersome machines to user-friendly apps, QR codes, and remote handling of ANPR camera maintenance. This digital approach streamlines operations and quickly resolves maintenance issues.
How do you prioritise and schedule maintenance tasks? As you know, a well-maintained car park reflects the overall quality of your property and enhances tenant experience.
Elevating Security and Access Control
Robust security measures are paramount. A well-managed 24/7 car park management operation significantly contributes to overall security. The mere sighting of an ANPR camera reduces anti-social behaviour, creating a safer environment. By implementing advanced security features like ANPR cameras, Park & Control helps property owners create a secure environment. These cameras monitor vehicle access and deter potential miscreants, enhancing the overall sense of safety for tenants and visitors.
What security measures have you found most effective for your properties? Sharing your experiences can provide valuable insights for those looking to bolster their own security protocols.
Embracing Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
Sustainable practices and energy-efficient technologies can drastically reduce operational costs and contribute to environmental conservation. Park & Control is proud of its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) credentials. One significant contribution to sustainability is the implementation of EV (Electric Vehicle) charging points across the UK. These charging points support electric vehicle users and align with broader environmental goals by reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, our Urban Hubs further enhance sustainability by incorporating eco-friendly solutions and supporting local communities.
How are you incorporating sustainability into your property management practices? Sustainable car park solutions, such as EV charging stations, can enhance your property’s eco-friendliness.
Integrating Cutting-Edge Technology
Smart buildings have transformed property management. Park & Control integrates the latest technological innovations through Parkway, our advanced ANPR system. Parkway leverages cutting-edge ANPR technology to provide seamless parking management. This system monitors vehicle access, reduces unauthorised parking, and enhances overall security. The data collected optimises parking operations, ensuring a smooth experience for tenants and visitors.
What technologies have you integrated into your properties, and what benefits have you seen? Discussing your tech upgrades can help others navigate the digital transformation.
Optimising Car Park Management
Efficiently managing car parks can significantly enhance tenant satisfaction and property appeal. Apart from Urban Hubs, Park & Control offers consultancy services to improve car park management efficiency. As part of APCOA, founded in 1971, we bring unrivalled experience to our consultancy services. Our experts work closely with property owners to identify areas for improvement and implement tailored solutions that meet specific needs.
How do you optimise the use of your car parks? Your solutions can offer fresh ideas to those grappling with parking challenges. Optimising parking can reduce tenant frustration and improve overall property functionality.
Prioritising Health and Safety Compliance
Ensuring a safe environment for tenants is not just about compliance; it’s about care. Ensuring only legitimate vehicles enter the car park improves health and safety. Fewer unauthorised vehicles reduce the risk of accidents and tensions, integrating the car park as part of the premises. By implementing effective car park management systems like Parkway, Park & Control helps create a safer environment. Properly monitored and managed car parks enhance security and contribute to the overall health and safety of the premises.
What health and safety measures do you prioritise? Your practices can guide others in maintaining high safety standards.
Join the Conversation
Property management is a collaborative journey. What are your top priorities as a property owner? Share your insights in the comments below. Let’s build a community where we can exchange experiences, learn from each other, and navigate the future of property management together. And remember, sometimes it’s the smaller details, like effective car park management, that can make a big difference.
