New 'pay-and-park' system introduced at Bodlondeb in Conwy

The Bodlondeb offices and surrounding land, including the main car park, were leased to Quidos Investments Limited in May 2025 under a 250-year agreement. The company now operates the site privately.

A new pay-and-park system will apply to the privately managed parking areas at Bodlondeb. The system went live today (Monday, March 30). The separate Council-operated car park will continue under its existing arrangements.

Parking at the site will continue to be overseen by the Bodlondeb Estate, working in partnership with Horizon Parking, and new equipment has been installed to help manage the car park.

The system includes Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and three payment options - cash, card and app - with multiple machines available on site. Parking tariffs align with those charged in the adjacent council-controlled car park, with the system operating seven days a week to support fair and consistent use of the site.

The system will be monitored throughout the week to ensure everything is working as it should.

A spokesperson from Bodlondeb Parking Limited, said: “Our aim is to bring people back into the building, increase footfall and support businesses in Conwy, ensuring visitors spend locally. The costs of operating the site are substantial and, to invest properly and support new tenants, including offering free rent periods to help them get established, we need to manage the estate responsibly.

“This is about long-term sustainability. We want Bodlondeb to thrive, attract people into town and create real opportunities for local businesses. We remain committed to working openly with the community as these improvements are introduced.”

“Our aim is not to replace or reinvent what is already working well, but to work alongside existing initiatives while also developing new ideas of our own.

"We are particularly keen to collaborate with local businesses and organisations, and those partnerships are already beginning to take shape. We want to be part of the Conwy community and contribute positively to what is already there.”

RELATED STORIES

• Bodlondeb car park in Conwy to switch to private system
• New parking charges planned for Bodlondeb car parks
• Plans dropped for council to manage main Bodlondeb Car Park
• PICTURES: End of an era as Conwy Council prepares to bid farewell to Bodlondeb
• Plans to convert Grade II listed Bodlondeb Lodge into home

The introduction of managed parking follows a review of operational costs and long-term sustainability, with structured arrangements needed to ensure fair use of spaces and support continued investment.

Revenue generated from the car park will be reinvested into the ongoing preservation, maintenance and safeguarding of the building.

The spokesperson added: "Significant work has already been undertaken to clear years of accumulated refuse and overgrown vegetation, improving safety, accessibility, and visibility, and making the site more usable for future functions and festivals.

"The improvements will also include repainting white lines and clearly marking parking bays to create additional spaces and a more organised, user-friendly layout."

The parking changes form part of broader plans for Bodlondeb.

Several new tenants are due to move into the building, with announcements expected soon. Proposals are also being developed for the rear of the site, aimed at increasing footfall into Conwy and supporting local businesses.

Plans include community-focused initiatives and produce markets designed to strengthen the town’s economy.

The spokesperson said: "Its focus is on balancing accessibility with responsible management, ensuring the site continues to develop in a way that benefits Conwy and the wider community."

Anyone with questions or concerns regarding parking arrangements is asked to email: contact@bodlondebinnovation.co.uk