A well-known Saltburn pub has installed new automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras in its car park in a continued bid to deter non pub-goers from taking up spaces.
The Ship, on the seafront at Saltburn, gained planning permission from the local council last month for three of the devices which are mounted on four metre high poles to the front and rear of the pub. Brewer Greene King, which owns The Ship, said the aim was to ensure that its car park was kept for customers only. Parking has been an issue at the pub, which is nestled next to Huntcliff, for a number of years.
In 2019 the pub contracted parking enforcement out to a private company for the first time, which threatened £100 fines for visitors who did not abide by the rules. A Facebook post announcing the move had complained of staff being abused by people when they were challenged for using the car park to access the beach or go off walking elsewhere without being on the premises.
And in 2017 former landlord Ian Burton spoke of his frustration after clamping vehicles belonging to surfers that were parked up, which prompted one of the vehicle owners to troll the pub and Mr Burton with a negative review on Trip Advisor. Mr Burton denied claims he had asked for money to release the clamps and said he was merely trying to protect customers who had been unable to park at The Ship, and wanted to teach the surfers a lesson.
A spokesman for The Ship said: “We’re pleased to welcome customers from both near and far to our pub, which received a transformational, six-figure investment last year. However, we have noticed some customers have been unable to visit us because a number of people who are not visiting the pub are taking up the remaining spaces in our car park. We have therefore installed number plate recognition cameras to ensure that our car park is kept for customers only and all they need to do is register their number plate when they come into the pub.”
A sign at the entrance to the pub said parking was camera controlled and for pub guests only.
The Ship, which is grade two listed, dates back to the 18th century and has historic links to the smuggling trade. by Greene King, which included new look modern decor, furnishings and an extended bar and snug area. A new 250 seater beer garden with a kiosk for fish and chips was added along with a heated pergola with festoon lighting for drinkers to sit under.
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Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
