Bidders for Westminster parking management deal named

Thursday, 3rd December 2009

Parking management contractors this week are vying for the right to become the main parking enforcer for Westminster in the next four years.

Competing for the bidding are three large international firms, namely the Airport Parking Company of America (APCOA), NSL and Mouchel. The shortlisted bidders will be approved by January next year, with a decision to be taken shortly after.

Mouchel is conceivably the most remarkable among the bidders. The company had only entered parking enforcement business just recently, but it is already making headway in winning several contracts. Mouchel had earlier closed deals in Hillingdon and Newham, the area where most of the 2012 London Olympic Games’ facilities will be located.

However, there are speculations among local officials about the Westminster deal. Stuart Lawrenson, one of the richest and most successful players in the UK parking industry, was reported having meetings with council officials last month to discuss the parking enforcement contract, allegedly in the pay of Mouchel.

Lawrenson, a former CEO of Central Parking, was previously accused of misusing the company’s assets for his personal benefit. He later resigned from the Central Parking, and paid £130,000 and forfeited his company shares in settlement of the charges.

During an interview with Moucel, the company spokesman informed that he could not give any information about the procurements as the matter is commercially sensitive and confidential. He also confirmed that Lawrenson is not an employee of Mouchel and that he works for a firm that provides products for the parking industry.

The current parking enforcement contract is being held for the past seven years by NSL, the former service arm of National Car Parks.

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