North Somerset Council is grappling with what its leader has called “the worst deal any council has ever signed” after committing to a 45-year lease for the troubled Carlton Street Car Park in Weston-super-Mare. Since signing the lease in 2012, the council has faced mounting costs and operational headaches due to numerous structural and maintenance failures.
The multi-storey car park, which the council leases back from the leaseholders of the 200-year freehold, has been plagued by construction flaws that led to the closure of most of its upper floors in November 2023. Due to substandard building specifications, including insufficient support for electric vehicles and large SUVs, and persistent “structural cracking and movement,” only 103 out of 353 parking spaces remain usable. The lifts are all out of service, presenting severe accessibility challenges and health and safety risks.
Financially, the car park has been a drain on council resources since inception. North Somerset Council spends over £500,000 annually on the lease and has incurred £300,000 in maintenance costs. Last year alone, the deficit reached £269,000, with a projected loss of £244,000 for 2025/26—figures that significantly outweigh savings planned from library closures.
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Former and current council leaders alike have expressed frustration. Council leader Mike Bell criticized the 2012 deal, asserting it was rushed and locked the council into unfavorable terms. The lease prevents the council from exiting or modifying the agreement before its expiration in 2058, and legal attempts to challenge the deal have been thwarted by the lease’s terms and the bankruptcy of the original construction company.
Defending the past decision, former council leader Nigel Ashton emphasized that the acquisition was based on expert advice, intended for long-term benefits and broader redevelopment goals. He also stated that construction at that time met required standards and questioned why structural reinforcements haven’t been pursued to reopen the closed floors.
Currently, North Somerset Council is evaluating four main options: permanently closing upper floors, reopening all floors after repairs with reduced capacity, shutting the car park completely, or demolishing and rebuilding a new facility. The council is also exploring alternative community uses for the upper floors as temporary measures, such as hosting markets or creating recreational spaces like skateparks.
Despite these considerations, Bell warned that every potential path involves significant costs and challenges. The council’s priority remains minimizing financial loss and finding the best outcome from a deeply problematic situation.