Park users can add Gift Aid to parking fee

Solution Labs works with Wimbledon and Putney Commons

The charity that looks after Wimbledon Common in London is using a mobile parking payment system to tap into Gift Aid funding. The Wimbledon and Putney Commons (WPCC) is an area of parkland covering 1,440 acres that cost around £1.5m a year to maintain.

WPCC has historically used a pay & display machine to collect fees at its Windmill Car Park.

Simon Lee, WPCC chief executive, was keen to find a way to enable visitors to make contributions. A phone parking system was devised in consultation with Solution Labs. The Tap2Park phone parking system has been branded as a Wimbledon and Putney Commons service. Drivers can make the voluntary donation by either scanning a QR code or via a dedicated website: www.wpccparking.co.uk

Lee said: “Working with Solution Labs to find a system that would work was excellent. Their enthusiasm to get the project right and delivered quickly was impressive, and they worked with us to make sure that every little detail was correct.”

Dave Coates, Solution Labs’ business system manager, said: "With the addition of Gift Aid, tax paying visitors are also able to ensure that Wimbledon and Putney Commons receive an additional 28p for each £1 contributed, making it easier for them to reach their yearly target. Also incorporated within our application is the opportunity for visitors to be included within the WPCC newsletter to keep them up to date of events being held within the park and the option to answer a questionnaire to ensure that the park receives the much needed feedback from its visitors.”