The Wellgate Shopping Centre, situated in Dundee’s city centre, is a key retail hub attracting a diverse mix of shoppers, city workers, gym users, and local residents. Its multi-storey car park supports this wide user base, including visitors to nearby facilities like JD Gyms and community projects. This mix of short-term retail visitors and longer-stay users created a complex parking environment requiring a flexible, efficient solution.
The Challenge
The existing barrier system was unreliable, often malfunctioning, with repairs delayed for months due to slow parts replacement. Drivers regularly experienced delays caused by camera read errors or payment failures, resulting in queues and dissatisfaction. Staff had to spend excessive time manually releasing vehicles via an overused intercom system, which reduced operational efficiency and caused revenue losses. After the previous parking operator withdrew, Wellgate needed a reliable, cost-effective solution that could be quickly implemented with minimal disruption.
The Hozah Solution
In just three weeks, Hozah integrated its advanced parking software with Wellgate’s existing infrastructure. Upgraded ANPR cameras improved vehicle recognition accuracy, and barriers were automated to operate on a free-flow basis, opening and closing automatically but with manual override available for security. Clear signage guided drivers to pay before exiting, reducing confusion and increasing compliance.
Drivers were offered multiple convenient payment options:
- Hozah Autopay: automatic charging based on parking duration
- PayByWeb: one-off mobile payments with no account registration
- Pay on Foot machines: traditional pay stations before exit
- Tailored permit schemes: flexible options for regular users
This suite is part of the broader Hozah Ecosystem, a modular platform that also supports compliance, occupancy management, dynamic pricing, and more, allowing Wellgate to customise the system to its specific needs.
Results and Benefits
The new system delivered immediate and notable improvements:
- Revenue rose by an average of 22% year-on-year in the first three months
- January revenue increased by 26%
- Enhanced payment flexibility and barrier reliability boosted driver satisfaction and repeat visits
- Automated permit management and streamlined payment processing reduced manual work and operational costs
- Strategic partnerships with JD Gyms and local educational institutions increased permit uptake and dwell times, supporting local businesses and community engagement
Client Feedback
“We are very impressed by the Hozah team’s ability to complete a full site install within just a few weeks! Our drivers appreciate the variety of payment options, making their visits easier and more convenient. This has translated into strong revenue growth in a short period. Overall, we’re very pleased with Hozah’s digital parking solution and would recommend it to other shopping centres looking for a modern, efficient system.”
— General Manager, Wellgate Dundee
Summary
Hozah’s transformation of Wellgate Shopping Centre’s car park highlights how cutting-edge technology combined with flexible payment methods and strategic local partnerships can deliver a seamless and efficient parking experience.
The result: increased revenue, higher driver satisfaction, reduced operational costs, and stronger community ties, all achieved within just a few months.
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