Quality mark
Published: 30 September, 2008
Shopping centres from London to Glasgow have been investing in refurbishing their car park facilities, at a time when many owners are investing in their current stock instead of developing or buying anything new.
The first stage of the £100m St Enoch Centre transformation has been revealed with the unveiling of the complex's new car parking facilities.
Canadian-based owner and manager Ivanhoe Cambridge has invested more than £2m in a major refurbishment of the Glasgow centre's 750-space car park and, in line with the company's commitment to promoting renewable energy, has introduced an innovative 'green' element to the new facility.
In a first for Glasgow city centre retail, St Enoch's is leading the way by providing charging bays which enable drivers of electric vehicles to recharge in the car park.
Four of the bays - painted in a distinctive green - will be located on the second floor and the number will potentially be increased in line with demand. Improved facilities have also been installed for cyclists, with new bike stands planned as part of the centre's redevelopment.
Susan Nicol, general manager of the St Enoch Centre, says: "One of the key objectives of our transformation programme is to identify new ways of enhancing the visitor experience at the centre, and I'm delighted that our refurbished car park will provide a much-improved environment for our customers.
"At the same time, we're exploring every opportunity to adopt initiatives and policies which are in line with Ivanhoe Cambridge's commitment to sustainable development. The introduction of charging bays for drivers of electric cars will not only offer a convenient new service for our visitors, but also helps to raise people's awareness of green forms of transport."
The £2m upgrading of the car park, which Ivanhoe Cambridge acquired in 2007 from the council, has also included provision of enhanced lighting and new ticket machines, improved signage in lift lobbies, installation of CCTV systems and general repairs to the overall fabric of the building.
The Blenheim Centre's multi-storey car park in Penge has also undergone a dramatic transformation in line with the refurbishment of the centre as a whole.
Specialist car park refurbishment contractor USL StructureCare was employed as the main contractor for the car park works, which involved new lighting, movement joints, anti-carbonation painting, a new office and general decorating and repair works.
The car park had been closed for many years and as a result there was a shortage of secure spaces near Penge high street. "The car park was in quite a state when we were first asked to look at it," explains USL StructureCare project manager John Hawkins. "We upgraded the level of lighting considerably and used bright colours throughout to enhance the internal appeal for the public."
The contract was administered by CPLC of Cheltenham and the car park is to be operated by parking management company APCOA.
Meanwhile, APCOA has been awarded a 25-year contract for the creation of a comprehensive parking service for at the Market Gates shopping centre in Great Yarmouth. This £420,000 investment coincides with Miller Developments' £16m extension of the centre, and the agreement will see the car park refurbished with new signage and convenient pay-on-foot machines, which have been shown to be more environmentally friendly than more traditional ticket systems, and will employ reusable chip coins.
APCOA business development manager Philip Howell says: "This is an exciting new contract for APCOA in a prominent seaside town that attracts over 5 million visitors per year. The refurbishment works will enhance the appearance of the centre significantly and will provide the latest parking technology in terms of parking equipment, help points for customers and comprehensive CCTV coverage on all levels.
"Security patrols by APCOA staff will ensure that customers feel safer within the car park. We're confident that with this investment the Park Mark safer car park status will be awarded on completion of the works."
Mark Hewett, director at Miller Developments, explains: "This deal will bring the Market Gates car park in line with the refurbished shopping centre and new extension. Being the primary town centre car park and boasting at least 470 spaces, this refurbishment complements the new extension and will be completed in October."Alasdair Robertson of Town Centre Parking acted for Miller Developments.
