North Somerset Council is facing severe financial and structural troubles with Carlton Street Car Park in Weston-super-Mare, described by council leader Mike Bell as “the worst deal any council has ever signed.” The council entered into a 45-year lease in 2012 for this multi-storey car park, but poor construction quality and ongoing maintenance costs have left it operating at a significant loss.
Most of the upper floors of the car park have been closed since November 2023 due to structural concerns, including cracking and insufficient support for electric vehicles and large SUVs. Compounding the issues, all the lifts are broken, with rainwater infiltrating the shafts and creating hazardous conditions that limit accessibility.
With only 103 of 353 parking spaces currently usable, North Somerset Council is losing about £250,000 annually on the site. The lease obliges the council to pay over £500,000 per year, with rent increasing over time, despite the car park rarely breaking even even when fully operational.
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Council leader Mike Bell criticized the original 2012 lease deal, stating it was rushed through by the former Conservative administration and locked the council into unreasonable financial obligations. He recollects opposing the contract due to its poor terms and the car park’s substandard construction. The council owns the freehold but must lease it back from the holders of a 200-year lease, with full control only reverting to the council in 2058.
Previous council leader Don Davies also condemned the deal as “a real scandal” when the current administration took office in 2019. Attempts to pursue legal action against the bankrupt construction company were fruitless due to the lease’s terms and the company’s liquidation.
While the former council leader Nigel Ashton defended the original decision, emphasizing the due diligence performed and affirming the construction met standards at the time, current officials call for urgent reevaluation. The council is now exploring four possible futures for the facility: permanently closing the upper levels, repairing and reopening with reduced capacity, complete closure, or demolition and rebuilding.
Mr. Bell acknowledged there are no easy or cheap solutions, describing the situation as a “terrible mess.” Innovative ideas, such as repurposing the upper floors into community spaces like skateparks or market venues, have also been considered to mitigate losses while the car park remains partially closed.
As the council moves forward, the priority is minimizing the financial burden on taxpayers while addressing the car park’s long-term viability and safety.