It is essential for any organisation to provide secure facilities for customers. Management is responsible for maintaining each area of their business, including parking facilities, and ensuring that users are welcomed into a safe, trustworthy environment.
The Approved Operator Scheme (AOS) is an initiative run by the British Parking Association (BPA) to ensure private, off-street car parks are properly controlled and professional. Underpinned by a detailed Code of Practice, which all members must abide by, it advises on best practice for parking facilities, recommending appropriate levels of signage, pricing and advice on staffing, as well as advising on administrative procedures. AOS, launched in October 2007, was devised in response to the then Transport Minister’s 14-point plan to provide self regulation of private parking.
The 14-point plan included the set up of an Accredited Trade Association (ATA) specifically aimed at businesses that required electronic access to vehicle keepers’ details on the DVLA database. The BPA was the first organisation to become a member of the ATA and, as a result, can allow Approved Operators electronic access to DVLA data, allowing effective management of parking areas.
To gain ‘approved’ status, operators must undergo a rigorous compliance audit to ensure they meet the high standards set out in the Code of Practice. Once compliance is achieved they can then, if they wish, apply for electronic access to DVLA data.
To maintain membership of AOS, compliance with the Code of Practice is continually monitored to maintain and improve the level of service. Approved Operators must submit evidence annually to demonstrate continued compliance and must also specifically highlight any issues encountered and identify their proposed solutions.
A dedicated Operations Manager, supported by a team of Development Managers, also conducts regular spot checks, inspecting premises and ensuring the Code is being adhered to. Where members’ operations are found to be non-compliant, remedial action will be a taken; where this does not happen and failure to comply with the Code persists, the appropriate procedures will be carried out, which can ultimately lead to the termination of the operator’s AOS membership.
The AOS is not part of formal legislation; it is a voluntary scheme outlining the optimum standards for operators, who can benefit by raising their profile amongst customers with their ‘approved’ status. In turn, the Scheme provides partner organisations with reassurance that they have chosen a parking operator that professionally delivers a reliable service and adheres to a Code of Practice.
Another of the aims of the Scheme is to encourage landowners to select an ‘approved’ operator, and avoid the rogue operators which unfortunately still exist in the industry today. The Scheme is an important step forward in discouraging ‘cowboy’ operators who continue their illegitimate practices to the detriment of the customer and other service providers in the UK.
The aim of the AOS was to demonstrate, promote and reward best practice in the industry and, almost 18 months after its launch, it is apparent that standards are continually increasing amongst Approved Operators.
Many leading operators work harmoniously with the Scheme and demand for improved services from clients such as office complexes, shopping centres and retail chains is continually increasing. An increasing number of operators are currently going through the necessary processes to comply with the Scheme’s requirements and, consequently, to achieve approved status.
The AOS continues to develop and improve, and remains driven by client and customer demand. To this end, the Code of Practice is currently being reviewed to ensure it benefits the operators, the clients and the motoring public, driving the standards of the private parking industry in the right direction.
