Victoria Shopping Centre: 100% Bird Reduction With AVIX Autonomic Laser Systems

Victoria Shopping Centre: 100% Bird Reduction With AVIX Autonomic Laser Systems

When gulls took over the top deck of Victoria Shopping Centre’s car park, driving customers away and costing hours of cleaning every day, management needed a solution that worked.

AVIX Autonomic laser bird control proved to be the answer, eliminating bird activity completely within months.

The Problem: Gulls Overtaking a Busy Car Park

Between April and October, gulls perched on the top level of the car park overnight, fouling the deck and driving away customers. Some visitors were reluctant to park or walk through the area, and some reported being attacked by the birds. At its worst, gulls occupied the entire top floor, and staff ran a three-hour cleaning operation every day just to keep it usable.

Noisemakers and bird repellent tapes were tried first but proved impractical or ineffective. Management needed a solution that would protect visitors and cut the ongoing labour cost, not another short-term fix.

The Product: Why Victoria Shopping Centre Chose the AVIX Autonomic

After researching bird control options, management chose the AVIX Autonomic, an automated laser bird deterrent, for its safe, clean and quiet operation. The unit has been in use since April 2016, covering the top deck of the car park, a projection area of 0.51 hectares.

Safety was built into how the system was run:

  • Overnight operation: Programmed to run only when the car park was closed to the public, between 8:30pm and 6am.

  • Controlled access: Power to the unit was managed at the security desk.

  • Targeted coverage: Focused on the top deck, the area most affected by roosting gulls.

  • Humane deterrence: Gulls perceive the laser as a threat and leave without harm, with no habituation over time.

For a public car park, the AVIX Autonomic worked as an effective gull deterrent that could run unattended overnight without disrupting daytime access.

About the AVIX Autonomic

The AVIX Autonomic is a fixed, automated laser bird deterrent that runs continuously once installed, covering large open areas without any manual operation.

  • 24/7 automated operation: Runs to a set schedule with no staff input required once configured.

  • Wide area coverage: A single unit covers up to 12 acres, depending on site layout and mounting position.

  • Programmable laser patterns: Coverage can be tailored to specific zones and times of day, as it was at Victoria Shopping Centre, where the system ran overnight only.

  • No bird habituation: The beam’s movement is randomised, so birds do not learn to ignore it over time.

  • Low maintenance: The laser bulb needs replacing roughly every 3 to 5 years, with little upkeep in between.

  • App controlled: Settings can be managed remotely via the AVIX Connect app.

The Results: 100% Bird Reduction with the AVIX Autonomic

Within a few months of installation, the number of gulls perching at the facility fell from over 100 to zero. The birds did not become accustomed to the laser, so the results held long term. Cleaning costs linked to bird waste were eliminated, and once customers noticed the birds and mess were gone, they returned to using the top level of the car park.

“The Autonomic is a brilliant tool that helped us solve many issues connected with bird nuisance!“

Mark Groom, Property Maintenance Manager, Victoria Shopping Centre

For busy public spaces like car parks, the AVIX Autonomic offers a way to clear gulls without harming them, protecting visitors, cutting labour costs and restoring use of the affected area.

Testimonial Profile

Location: Llandudno, North Wales, UK

Job Date: April 2016

Application context: Multi-storey car park, shopping centre

Product Reviewed: AVIX Autonomic (automated laser bird deterrent)

Problem definition: Financial loss, safety and sanitation issues from gull nuisance

Bird Behaviour: Gulls perching and fouling

Laser Projection Area: 1.2 acres (0.51 hectares), top deck of car park

Number of Birds Before Installation: Over 100 gulls

Bird Reduction After Installation: 100% reduction, from over 100 birds to zero, maintained long-term

Time of Year: April to October

Time of Day: 8:30pm to 6am, overnight only

Ready to Protect Your Site with the AVIX Autonomic?

If gulls or other birds are causing problems at your facility, IBM can help. Book a free site survey and we will recommend the right laser bird deterrent for your site.

Victoria Shopping Centre: 100% Bird Reduction With AVIX Autonomic Laser Systems

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