The Carlton Street Car Park in Weston-super-Mare, leased by North Somerset Council, is facing severe structural risks and financial losses, prompting concerns over its future viability. The upper levels of the multi-storey car park have been closed since 2023 due to safety issues, including broken lifts caused by water damage and a critical inability to support the heavier weight of electric vehicles.
Council leader Mike Bell has described the lease agreement, which runs until 2058, as “the worst deal any council has ever signed.” In the financial year 2024/25, the car park alone resulted in a £250,000 loss for the council, a figure expected to improve only slightly after planned repairs.
Senior technical manager Stephen Matthews warned council members that certain sections of the building could “start to collapse” if four electric vehicles parked side-by-side on the upper levels, noting that electric cars weigh about one third more than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles. Despite these dangers, banning electric vehicles from the car park is considered impractical.
READ MORE: Man Dies in Skydiving Tragedy at Dunkeswell Airfield
READ MORE: Perfect Adults-Only Getaway in Somerset: Pure Bliss at The Boathouse
To address the problem, council officers have proposed a £2.6 million investment to repair and reopen the upper floors, but with reduced capacity to prevent overloading. This approach could cut annual losses to around £169,000, with potential savings achievable through value engineering.
Alternative solutions include permanently closing the upper levels, which would raise the deficit to £71,000 annually, or closing the entire car park—still requiring rent payments under the lease and resulting in a £473,000 shortfall each year. Demolishing and rebuilding the structure is the most expensive option, projected to cost £14.7 million and increase annual losses to over £1 million for at least 31 years.
The council currently holds the land’s freehold but is leasing the car park from the leaseholders. The 45-year lease, signed in 2012, allows the council to take ownership only in its final year, by which time the building may no longer be usable.
Councillors have acknowledged the dilemma with no easy solution. Mark Canniford, cabinet member responsible for car parking, described the situation as “the worst deal of the century.” Councillor Helen Thornton humorously suggested demolishing the car park entirely, but the liability to continue paying rent would persist.
Despite consulting legal specialists to explore actions against the developer and contractors, North Somerset Council found no legal grounds to claim damages or terminate the lease. The council continues to grapple with the costly consequences of a flawed agreement made over a decade ago.