Rolling in the green: Adele helps student park debt

Pop sensation Adele’s Mt Smart Stadium concerts are providing additional revenue for a budding entrepreneur.

Alex Lewis, 19, is making a bit of cash on the side by charging the public to use parking spaces at his father’s mechanical workshop.

The business is located close to the stadium. Mr Lewis, a mixology student at Crown Institute of Studies will use the revenue to help pay off his student loan.

He was happy with the response his initial post on Neighbourly received informing the public of his plans.

“The reception has been really warm,” Mr Lewis said.

With a number of car parks available Mr Lewis will be looking to take full advantage of the $20 spots.

“There’s 15 carparks, we can fit up to 20 in there I guess.”

Opening night was a great success, with all spaces booked out. Saturday and Sunday were looking promising too, he said.

The $400-a-night takings are normal for the family who have used Mt Smart’s hosting rights to their advantage previously.

His father, who sold the car parks for the Justin Bieber concert, got him on to the idea, he said.

Other businesses in the vicinity weren’t so concerned with making money.

Alex Hitchcock from GFC Fasteners and Construction Products said, “If people need it to park they can park, we’re not really bothered about it.”

But that hasn’t stopped others from benefitting.

“We came and other people were standing here and selling our car parks,” he said.

Despite the public making a profit, Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) which represents Mt Smart Stadium has no plans to interfere.

Karen Tay, a spokesperson for Regional Facilities Auckland said it’s not their place to make such decisions.

“It’s up to private businesses and private business owners to make those decisions because it is on their premises,” Miss Tay said.

RFA have other ideas for those attending the concerts this weekend.

“We always support people using public transport.”

The cost of public transport is included in all Adele tickets and is the most convenient way to travel to the concert, said Miss Tay.