Eastbourne Man Claims He Knows Secret Free Parking Space, Refuses To Reveal Location Even To Family

By Jeanette Deckchair, Community & Lifestyle Correspondent

EASTBOURNE — An Eastbourne man claims to have discovered one of the town's last remaining secret free parking spaces but is refusing to reveal its location, even to members of his immediate family.

Local resident Graham Collins says he discovered the space several years ago and has successfully parked there ever since.

He insists there are no charges.

No complicated restrictions.

And it's apparently "not actually that far from town."

"Where is it?" asked his wife.

"I'm not telling you."

They have been married for 34 years.

Location Closely Guarded

Graham reportedly takes extensive precautions to protect the space.

Whenever driving there with passengers, he deliberately takes a confusing route.

He makes unnecessary turns.

Occasionally, he drives around the same roundabout twice.

His daughter once attempted to remember the route.

Graham noticed.

"Stop looking."

She was looking through the windscreen.

Family Becoming Suspicious

Relatives initially assumed the parking space did not exist.

Then Graham returned from Eastbourne town centre one Saturday afternoon and casually announced:

"Parked straight away."

The room fell silent.

His son demanded evidence.

Graham produced a photograph of his car.

The image revealed almost nothing.

Investigators identified a pavement, some bushes and approximately three bricks.

Eastbourne contains all of these.

'Not That Far' Disputed

Graham claims the mysterious location is within easy walking distance of the town centre.

His family strongly disputes his definition of easy.

"It takes him about twenty minutes to get back to the car," said his wife.

"That's not parking in town."

Graham disagrees.

"It's basically town."

Asked whether the space might actually be in Polegate, he became defensive.

"Don't be ridiculous."

This has increased suspicion.

Friends Attempt To Extract Information

Word of Graham's alleged parking space has spread.

Several friends have attempted to obtain the location.

One offered him £10.

Another offered to swap details of a reliable plumber.

Graham refused both.

"This isn't about money."

"It's about trust."

Nobody knows what this means.

Information To Be Inherited

Graham has confirmed that the location will eventually be passed down to one of his children.

He has not decided which.

Potential heirs will reportedly be judged on their ability to keep secrets, parallel park and avoid mentioning useful information in local Facebook groups.

"If I tell the wrong person, it's finished."

His daughter promised she wouldn't tell anyone.

"You'll tell your husband."

"I won't."

"He'll tell Steve."

"Who's Steve?"

"Exactly."

Negotiations ended.

Local Residents Begin Search

Rumours of the space have prompted other motorists to begin searching.

Several possible locations have already been investigated.

One turned out to be permit holders only.

Another allowed free parking for twenty minutes.

A third appeared perfect until somebody noticed a sign hidden behind a tree.

Graham has dismissed every suggestion.

"You're nowhere near."

Nobody had told him where they were looking.

This has become important evidence.

Secret Remains Safe

Despite increasing pressure, Graham insists he will take the location to his grave if necessary.

He believes revealing it publicly would immediately destroy its value.

"Imagine everyone knowing."

"There'd be cars everywhere."

His family pointed out that this is generally how parking works.

Graham refused to comment.

At the time of publication, he was preparing to drive into Eastbourne.

His wife asked for a lift.

"Course."

"Are you taking me to the secret space?"

Graham stared at her.

Ten minutes later, she was waiting for the bus.

The location remains classified.