Popular Hotel Parking Area Set to Disappear
The northern car park adjacent to the iconic Scarborough Hotel will become inaccessible to patrons within weeks, as the landowner prepares to fence off the area. The separate ownership of the hotel and parking land has created an unexpected situation that will likely reduce available parking options for visitors to the popular coastal venue.
Separate Ownership Creates Liability Concerns
Contrary to common assumption, the hotel and the northern car park are not under the same ownership. The parking area is owned by former hotel licensee Paul Anzari, who purchased the land approximately six years ago while operating the pub under previous ownership. Mr Anzari explained that he had maintained the area with proper surfacing, bumper stoppers, and regular maintenance to ensure safety for vehicles using the space.
The situation changed when Epochal Hotels acquired the Scarborough Hotel in June last year. Mr Anzari now faces public liability concerns, noting that if a hotel patron were injured in his car park, he would bear responsibility. This has prompted his decision to fence off the property by the end of November 2025.
Potential Impacts and Future Possibilities
The closure of this informal parking area may lead to increased on-street parking in surrounding residential streets, potentially creating challenges for local residents. The hotel's small on-site car park located on the southern side of the property will remain available, but capacity will be significantly reduced.
Mr Anzari confirmed he has no immediate plans for the 4000 square metre oceanfront property but is open to selling it to the hotel's current owners. "I would have thought that it would be a given that the new operators would want to have somewhere to park the cars that approach the hotel from the north," he remarked.
A spokesperson for Epochal Hotels clarified the zoning restrictions, noting that the land is zoned C3 Environmental Management, which prevents it from being formally used as hotel parking. The hotel emphasized they have no authority to manage or control parking on this separately owned land.
The fencing operation is expected to be completed before the end of November 2025, marking the end of an era for patrons who have used the northern parking area when visiting the historic Scarborough Hotel.
