A multi-storey car park has reopened in Mansfield, creating more than 350 parking spaces. But, according to local residents, as the car park had not been in use for so long, it's reopening has been unexpected, with one saying they thought it would be knocked down and its use being questioned.
Walkeden Street car park fully reopened on Good Friday (April 15) following an extensive refurbishment, and now has 352 spaces. All of these are extra wide, the same size as they would be for parent / toddler bays or blue badge holders.
The refurbishment included replacing old concrete panels which had reached the end of their life with new geometric cladding. But some local residents have expressed surprise at it reopening, and question if it will be used.
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Rob Toner, 50, who lives in Mansfield, said: "I think it's been closed for three or four years, I thought they were going to pull it down. It looks much better now than it did though.
"There needs to be more in the town centre though to make full use of it. It's not a car park that needs looking at, it's the amount of empty shops around."
Michelle Przedpelski, 37, a hairdresser who lives in Mansfield, said: "It's been closed for so long, I'm surprised it has reopened. But will it be used? Everything around here is shutting, there's hardly anything open."
Vicky Armitage, 39, who lives in Mansfield, said: "It looks pretty good, a lot better than before. Hopefully it will bring more people in as it's right near the shopping centre and that."
The car park is situated near the Four Seasons shopping centre and the Market Place and is open from 8am until 6pm Monday to Saturday. It costs £1 per hour to park there, with three hours for the price of two.
Mansfield District Council's Shopmobility office, where people can hire battery operated wheelchairs or scooters for use in the town centre by those with mobility difficulties, will reopen at the car park from Tuesday (April 19). The service is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am until 3pm.
Labour councillor Stuart Richardson, portfolio holder for regeneration and growth at Mansfield District Council, said: "The reopening of the car park comes ahead of what we hope will be a busy spring and summer for our market traders and town centre businesses. As well as having a wide range of independent businesses to visit and places to eat, drink and socialise, there will also be plenty of events and activities for all the family to enjoy at town centre venues in the coming months.
"By shopping local, people will be supporting jobs and boosting the local economy which helps keep the district thriving and vibrant."
The reopening of the car park means there is more than 1,500 spaces across 15 short and long stay car parks in the town centre, including 88 parking spaces for blue badge holders. Walkden Street reopens following the permanent closure of the Old Town Hall car park earlier in April ahead of work on a memorial garden as part of the council's Urban Greening project.
