MERSEYWAY CAR PARKS FACELIFT TO BOOST HIGH STREET

Shoppers and visitors to Stockport town centre will benefit from improved facilities in one of the borough’s major car parks. Stockport Council, UK Asset Resolution – the landlord of Merseyway shopping centre – and Merseyway itself have jointly invested £1.84m to refurbish the centre’s car park to make it more user-friendly for customers.

New ‘pay on exit’ machines will mean that instead of ‘paying and displaying’, visitors will be able to pay as they leave. This allows shoppers and visitors to drive straight into the car park without the need to buy a pay and display ticket. It will allow people to be more flexible, stay longer if they choose and spend more time in the town centre.

New signage and improvements to entrances, lifts, stairs and stairwells will make it more accessible and easier to get around. Safety will also be improved with new lighting and CCTV cameras.

Councillor Iain Roberts, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “We want to do everything we can to make it appealing, convenient and easy to visit and shop in Stockport. The improvements to Merseyway car park, especially the new payment system, will encourage people to stay for longer and give a much-needed boost to local businesses.”

Brendan Webb, Centre Manager of Merseyway, added, “Merseyway has always been a popular shopping destination because of the wide variety of stores we offer – including many of the big brand names. Having a refurbished and improved car park will enhance the visitor experience and we hope encourage more people to see exactly what we have to offer.”

The work will start on Monday 2 September and will be completed in early 2014.

The car park will remain open throughout the works although some entrances, exits and parking areas will be closed off at times to allow work to be carried out. The works will be phased to minimise disruption and clear signage will be displayed.