As part of the review, both parties have considered the typical user and how they use the facility, as well as looking at other leisure centres parking arrangements in West Sussex to benchmark our proposals against. We have also considered the availability of spaces in the car park at peak times. The change to parking arrangements will allow greater turnover of vehicles, maximising available space for those visiting the leisure centre and also using the car park to support local businesses and attractions.
A change from five hours free parking to three (with a no return of one hour) for Wave users will start on Tuesday 1 April 2025. Customers wishing to stay longer than three hours can pay for additional parking via either MI Permit or RingGo apps, or by using the pay and display machines which accept card and cash payments. Please read the frequently asked questions for further information.
| FAQs |
| Why has the council, with the support of Freedom Leisure reduced the time allowed in the car park for users of Littlehampton Wave? |
| Littlehampton Wave has continued to increase its participation figures over the past four years, with the car park being full at peak times. In our view, the reduction to three hours is fair, and sufficient for users wishing to use the facilities for several activities. On review we looked at the typical user who would go to the gym, swimming, and have a drink in the café, or go to a Little Leapfrogs session in the sports hall, or an aqua aerobics class, followed by a trip to the gym for a stretch, as examples. We also want to encourage those who can visit the Wave, Mewsbrook Park and neighbouring businesses on foot, bicycle, or public transport. |
| Can I use the car park free of charge twice a day? |
| Yes, though you must allow three hours, plus the one hour no return (4 hours in total) before being accepted to enter your registration again on the pod in the Wave reception. With the amended timings, you can go to the gym at 12:00pm and return at 4:15pm for your child’s swimming lesson with no parking charge, as an example. |
| What if there is an issue with the car parking pods? |
| Report to the Littlehampton Wave reception who will alert the council’s car parking team through the duty manager. |
| Do I have to pay to drop off/pick up? |
| There is an extended grace period of 10 minutes within Mewsbrook Car Park for drop off/pick up or to enter the Wave after parking to use one of the three car parking pods. |
| Which leisure centres did you base your research on when considering the amendment? |
| Arun District Council reviewed parking tariffs at similar size leisure centres in Worthing, Lancing, Burgess Hill, Southwick, Chichester, Horsham, and Crawley. |
| I am a member, can I enter my registration and go to the beach? |
| The free use of the car park is for Littlehampton Wave users only. The provision of free parking at Mewsbrook Car Park is an informal arrangement and does not form part of the terms and conditions of the membership. Abuse of the system may result in further review of the parking arrangements. |