Cheeky parkers have been warned: Gates or restrictions could be coming to the Love Lane Pavilion car park in Petersfield

Options are being explored by the town council as spaces are frequently and routinely taken by non-hall users abusing the lack of restrictions.

The council may duplicate the scheme in place at The Avenue Pavilion as its car park is locked unless hirers are present, with genuine users being given an entry code.

Restrictions were put in place as too many people were using the site for free all-day parking, with an increase in town centre charges being cited.

Hall user complaints about parking availability at The Avenue have “completely flatlined” since with the move being met with an “overwhelmingly positive response”.