A tourist in London filmed herself looking at the prices for deck chair hire in a popular park in the capital, as even using one for an hour can incur a hefty cost
A London visitor has been left gobsmacked by the unexpected expense of hiring a deck chair in Hyde Park, taking to social media to vent her frustration over the additional cost of living sting. Nadia Scott shared her disbelief on TikTok, showing a sign in Westminster’s iconic Grade I-listed park that listed the rental prices.
“So we’re in London and they’re charging £4 an hour to sit down,” she exclaimed. “You can sit down for two hours for £5.50, £6.50 for three hours and £14 to sit on your a**e all day.” She went on to highlight the sea of unoccupied chairs, suggesting most people were too savvy to fork out when they could simply sit on the grass at no cost.
And when asked for her thoughts, Nadia’s friend, Molly, bluntly remarked: “You’ve got be having a f*****g laugh.”
The park’s signage also mentions a reduced rate for concessions (students, seniors over 65, and disabled persons), and even season tickets for frequent visitors, costing £180 for standard and £80 for concessions.
Reacting to the clip, one TikTok user noted: “The bedrock of capitalism is supply and demand… the only reason this exists is because people are willing to pay for it.”
Another criticised: “Fair enough to charge for the chairs but those particular prices are extortionate!”.
And a third disgruntled individual remarked: “I wouldn’t mind if it was some luxury chair, leather, Bluetooth, or massage, but they’re chairs from the Victorian era.”
WARNING – explicit language in video below, viewer discretion advised.
However, not everyone is critical of the deck chair rental scheme. One person defended the concept, explaining: “You’re not paying to sit. You’re paying to use the chair. It’s a business and a service and optional.”
Whilst a second quizzed: “So what’s the problem? If its too expensive for you then you’re not the target audience. Not everything has to be good value to everyone.”
Promoting their offering on the web, Parkdeck Chairs Ltd, the enterprise behind the deck chair hire initiative, proclaims: “We believe London’s parks are sanctuaries where people relax, connect, and enjoy nature. Our mission is to enhance these beautiful spaces by providing high-quality, comfortable, and sustainable deckchair services.”
The company further commits to environmental stewardship, stating: “We are committed to preserving these treasured green spaces through eco-conscious practices, responsibly sourced materials, and a service that supports both people and the planet.”
The service extends to several Royal parks including The Regent’s Park, Kensington Gardens, St. James’s Park, and The Green Park.
These deck chairs are up for grabs from March to October, available during daylight hours, provided the weather plays along.