Transforming Parking for Multi-Use Developments: How Hozah Revolutionised St Ann Estate

Located on the north side of the River Tyne, just one mile from Newcastle’s city centre, St Ann’s Quay is an eleven-storey mixed-use development featuring commercial space on the ground, first and second floors, and 91 residential apartments across the upper levels. The property, owned by the Adderstone Group, sits at the heart of the vibrant Quayside area — a key destination for business, dining, and city living.

With offices, restaurants, hotels, pubs, and residents all sharing a single Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP) and no on-street parking available, balancing competing demands, ensuring fair use, and minimising abuse became a daily operational headache for estate management.

That’s when Hozah stepped in.

A Complex Challenge in a Multi-Use Setting

Before Hozah’s involvement, St Ann Estate faced daily parking conflicts:

• Overlapping needs between residents, office workers, and restaurant visitors.
• Unauthorised use of designated or whitelisted spaces.
• Manual validations created inconsistencies and administrative strain.
• Inefficient utilisation, with some areas overcrowded while others sat empty.

The complexity of managing validated parking — ensuring each business or tenant had the correct number of spaces and the right drivers registered — required constant oversight and frequent dispute resolution.

The Hozah Solution: A Smart, Fully Integrated Parking Ecosystem

Hozah implemented a comprehensive, AI-driven solution explicitly designed for mixed-use environments.

1. ANPR-Based Access Control

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras were installed at all entry and exit points. Vehicles were authorised based on pre-approved whitelists for tenants, residents, and guests — or automatically charged via Hozah Autopay. This eliminated unauthorised parking and reduced manual enforcement.

2. Hozah Autopay

By linking ANPR data with secure payment software, Hozah enabled fully automatic, contactless payments. Drivers registered once, and thereafter, payments were processed automatically based on stay duration and driver type — whether resident, office tenant, hotel guest, or visitor.

The system applied the correct tariff automatically, simplifying operations for both drivers and management.

3. Tailored Tenant & Office Management

Each office and business was given granular control over its allocated spaces via the Hozah back-office portal. They could:

• Update vehicle registrations directly.
• Manage validation for customers or staff.
• Sell unused spaces to the public via Hozah’s system — generating direct revenue.

4. Advanced Validation Tools

Hozah provided tablets and user-specific logins for businesses needing validation access. Manual Number Plate Recognition (MNPR) handheld tools enabled on-the-spot checks to verify whether vehicles were authorised, preventing misuse of designated bays.

5. Modular Ecosystem for Evolving Needs

Hozah’s flexible platform meant that each component — Autopay, validation tools, and space control — could be deployed or scaled independently. As the site evolved, new modules were added seamlessly without system disruption.

Tangible Benefits for Multi-Use Developments

The results at St Ann Estate speak for themselves:

• Streamlined operations — significantly reduced time spent managing driver issues.
• Optimised space utilisation — businesses could monetise underused bays.
• Higher tenant satisfaction — through precise allocation and improved control.
• Seamless driver experience — leading to repeat visits and positive engagement.
• Reduced vandalism and cost — gradual phase-out of pay machines created a fully cashless site.
• Improved compliance and security — every vehicle accounted for in real time.

What the Client Said