A business in Radstock has ended its contract with a parking provider after just one month following multiple complaints.

The Radstock Hotel installed a new parking camera system with parking permit provider National Parking Management (NPM) back in May. Six signs were installed around the car park on May 2, while the system itself was activated on May 8.

In addition to these measures, The Radstock Hotel also produced its own signage to be used in-house, which was displayed on internal walls and doors to remind customers to enter their vehicle’s registration number.

These measures were undertaken in order to address persistent issues involving the unauthorised use, reported illicit activity and suspicious behaviour on what is private property.

However, the contract would subsequently be removed in June, with the pub citing “ongoing challenges”.

These challenges included what The Radstock Hotel describes as ‘poor inflexibility, and a general lack of professionalism’ that did not align with their company’s values.

The team said they felt it was necessary to end the contract in order to ‘uphold service standards and integrity’. This is in spite of the financial cost as a result of this action, as the business now has a £13,800 bill issued to them by NPM.

Some customers were reportedly unhappy with the parking situation at the business as well, with The Radstock Hotel saying it received multiple complaints via email, while nine individuals had brought penalty notices directly into the business.

The Radstock Hotel have claimed that, following the termination of the contract, NPM proceeded to remove its cameras and signage “without any notice or acknowledgement of our termination”, and that this was done while also causing damage to the property.

The hotel is now managing the car park internally, although it is currently working to identify a more reliable and responsible parking solution that it hopes will better reflect the needs of the guests and the wider community.

A duel use of CCTV and ANPR cameras are something that The Radstock Hotel hopes to utilise as it manages the car park independently, as it says this gives them the best opportunity to recognise and support the safety of those who come to the establishment while deterring unauthorised vehicles.

A statement on social media made by The Miners Rest - a restaurant inside The Radstock Hotel, said: “As many of you know, we have been working alongside Avon and Somerset Police to address criminal activity taking place on our private land.

“This led us to introduce a parking solution aimed at keeping everyone safe and protecting our business.

“Unfortunately, the company we engaged to manage parking did not uphold the same standards and values that we hold for our customers. While stepping away from this contract has come at a cost to us as a business, we strongly believe it is the right thing to do.

“We also want to reassure everyone that we did not profit in any way from any charging proceeds.”

NPM have been approached for comment.