This is Cwmbran’s first parking meter. It has been installed in the car park of The Greenhouse pub to deter non-customers.
SA Brain & Co Ltd told Cwmbran Life that no pub customers will lose out as they will get a refund off their food or drinks bill.
The meter was installed on Wednesday 26 August after a year of problems which saw the pub lose business as passers-by thought it was full when it was quiet. Some customers who booked tables have had to cancel after being unable to park.
A spokeswoman for SA Brain & Co Ltd said: “The rumours are true and our car park has now had parking meters installed.
“Over the past twelve month we have been having a lot of problems with our car park to the point where it is often over flowing with cars and many people being blocked in (and this is often before the business is actually open!).
“We are losing a lot of custom simply by people driving past thinking we are full when in reality the place is empty. Likewise we have had many bookings cancel simply because they have nowhere to park.
“The majority of these cars do not belong to customers and are made up of a mixture of local residents who use the car park as their own, people who meet here and then car pool to Newport/Cardiff, as well as those who work at a local business park and are unable to park there.
“The pay and display system was installed in the hope that it would deter non-customers from taking advantage of the car park, allowing those who actually come to the pub a parking space.”
Refunds for pub customers
She reassured pub customers: “All customers of the pub will get a refund on their parking in the form of money off their food and/or drink. Non customers still wishing to use the car park can do so but they will have to pay.
“We would like stress that this is not a scheme to make more money as we have to pay for the parking service and make no money off the tickets. The parking meters were installed with the customers best interests in mind.”
There are clear signs throughout the car parking warning drivers that it is pay and display or they risk an £85 fine.
