From Sunday 1 March, parking at The Quays North and South Car Parks will be managed by the operator BH Live, using an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system

In summer 2025, leading leisure operator BH Live took over the management of leisure services across Southampton, including The Quays Swimming and Diving Complex. Southampton City Council has previously operated the car parks on behalf of the supplier, which has included running the Pay and Display machines, and carrying out enforcement.

BH Live’s preferred operating model was to manage the Quays car parks directly, with the intention of enhancing the overall customer experience for visitors to the Quays. To enable this change in management arrangements, the council undertook a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultation in December 2025, proposing the removal of Quays North and Quays South Car Parks from the City Centre Off Street Parking Order.

Following the conclusion of this consultation, the council has decided to proceed with this proposal. As a result, The Quays North and South Car Parks will be operated by BH Live from Sunday 1 March using an ANPR system.

Visitors to The Quays will be required to input their vehicle registration after passing through the reception area, giving them up to three hours of free parking. This will mean the majority of users will not need to use the Pay and Display machines. The car parks can also be used for longer parking sessions and by other visitors, with clear information on payment options within the car park.

Council season tickets and BH Live Quays parking permits will no longer be valid in The Quays North and South Car Parks, but valid season tickets can be used in the adjacent Harbour Parade car park which will remain a council operated car park.

Councillor Alex Winning, Leader of Southampton City Council said: “We believe this change will deliver an improved leisure experience for visitors to The Quays and is reflective of the how car parks in our other leisure sites are operated.

“Using an ANPR system will help make parking and using The Quays much easier and less hassle for our visitors. This is a great example of how they are looking to further enhance our facilities and the customer journey.”

To find out more about the changes and for a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), please visit BH Lives’ website.