For over 20 years, the Marina cinema has been my sanctuary. When life gets overwhelming, heading down there to catch a film is often my only real break—it clears my head, resets my mind, and gives me breathing room during stressful times.

As a local parent, it has also evolved into our family's go-to spot for stress-free days out, letting you take the kids to Cineworld or wander the boardwalk without an expensive parking meter ticking away in your mind.

Under the current four hours of free parking, a trip out didn't end when the cinema credits rolled. It meant lingering to support on-site businesses—wandering over to feed my four-year-old’s addiction to books and colouring pads at The Works, grabbing a coffee, or treating the family to a meal. Even running to Asda for cookies and some Gabby or Bluey clothing. For some a drink before a meal or cinema trip as a gathering spot at one of the pubs in the marina will most likely disappear too.

Slapping an upfront parking charge on the multi-storey completely destroys that spontaneous spending. Nobody with young children is going to pack up a buggy, strap an exhausted toddler into a car seat or nag a young child into the car knowing they will get out again in a few mins. Followed navigate out of the multi-storey, and drive around the estate just to use Asda's separate two-hour bay for a quick snack or browse. You just give up, pack up, and drive straight home.

Already, we see empty closed storefronts and restaurant units along the boardwalk. The Marina is struggling for footfall as it is, and hollowing it out further with parking charges could be the final blow to the few remaining businesses.

 It’s not just cinema-goers and young families who lose out, either. What happens to the beloved Sunday car boot sale on the top deck? For decades, hundreds of local people have relied on it to sell unwanted goods or hunt for affordable second-hand items. Charging sellers and casual bargain hunters to park on a Sunday morning will slowly strangle one of the best, most accessible community traditions in town.

It’s crucial to keep Brighton Marina accessible, vibrant, and attractive as a local hub – the area needs more businesses to setup here! While regular maintenance for a massive multi-storey costs money, pricing out genuine visitors is completely self-defeating and will only drive people away.

A practical, balanced compromise could easily work for everyone:

-Retaining an initial free window (like the current four hours) to encourage more spending at the marina.
-Introducing a minimal rate of 20p to 50p an hour.
-Validating parking for paying customers at the cinema, restaurants, and shops.
 

These simple steps could serve as a lifeline to shops struggling to survive, protecting local traditions like the Sunday car boot sale and ensuring the Marina remains a lively, economically viable part of our community. Brighton Marina should remain a place where spontaneity thrives and family days out are not punctuated by financial stress.

Join me in urging authorities to keep Brighton Marina’s parking free or reasonably priced.

Sign this petition to preserve our vibrant community, local businesses, and beloved traditions.