Exeter car park deemed 'Best in Britain'!

Exeter's John Lewis Car Park, which recently underwent a £900,000 refurbishment and name change, has scooped a top national award.

The Car Park, which is run by Exeter City Council, was named Best Car Park Refurbishment of the Year at the British Parking Awards. The judges were so impressed with the car park they also gave it the Overall Winner award!

Previously called the King William Street Car Park, the facility was transformed in the lead up to opening of Exeter's John Lewis store last October. Refreshed and up-dated, the facility now offers motorists the freedom of paying for their parking at the end of their trip rather than at the start.

The refurbishment saw the 425-space car park installed with a new anti-slip surface, complete internal repaint and extensive CCTV.

Mark Moran, one of the judges on the panel, said: "What was evidently an archetypal dark and dingy town centre Multi Storey Car Park is now a clean, bright, easy to navigate high street amenity. This is a good example of what a local authority can do to refashion old Multi Storey Car Parks as high street gateways while working on a tight budget."

As a result of making the car park more welcoming to motorists, the facility was recently awarded Park Mark Safer Parking accreditation for the first time. To gain the Park Mark seal of approval, the car park had to undergo a site inspection and review of operating arrangements by representatives of the British Parking Association and Association of Chief Police Officers.

Cllr Rachel Sutton, Lead Councillor for Sustainable Development and Transport, said: "This is fantastic news for everyone involved in the refurbishment and for motorists coming into the city centre.

"Delivering these improvements to the car park has created a safer and far more pleasant parking environment for shoppers, visitors and residents alike. It's fantastic news that the John Lewis Car Park has been recognised as a first class refurbishment by industry professionals and it's reassuring to learn that the site has been awarded Park Mark status and reflects the new lighter and cleaner feel of the car park."