An Exeter car park once described as a urine-smelling ‘dystopian film set’ where pedestrians fear to tread is to be transformed.
The city council is to borrow £2.5m to restore the Cathedral and Quay multi-storey which has become a target for vandalism, graffiti and ‘entrenched’ anti-social behaviour.
Rough sleepers have set up camp in the car park, and there have been incidents of drug use and arson.
Cllr Ruth Williams (Lab, Mincinglake and Whipton) told a previous city council meeting: “It is not worthy of our beautiful city. It’s dark, it’s dingy and it doesn’t feel safe.”
The top two and a half decks of the car park have been closed since 2020 amid concerns over structural issues.
Now the full council has voted unanimously to spend the £2.5million on the car park after hearing how the income raised from people using it would mean it paid for itself quickly.
Increased use of a newly-refurbished car park could generate £450,000 a year, which would more than cover all the costs of the borrowing.
The project will include work inside and outside the car park, with new lighting and pathways and a consultation on whether to change from pay-and-display to a pay-on-foot system.
Cllr Zoe Hughes (Ind, Pennsylvania) said she was ‘delighted’ to support the refurbishment and added: “That is a notoriously unpleasant place to walk in the daytime, let alone in the evening. This is a very easy win.”
Cllr Williams added: “Visitors to Exeter sometimes have this as their first impression of the city, and that’s not good.
“It is absolutely essential that we spend the money to make this a truly iconic car park because of the views you will be able to get across the quay and up to the cathedral.”
The meeting heard that new staff working in the car park would have security accreditation to help them deal with anti-social behaviour.
Council leader Phil Bialyk (Lab, Exwick) said: “This is a significant investment in Exeter’s future. Cathedral and Quay is a strategically important city centre asset, and these improvements will create a safer, more attractive and more welcoming environment for users.
“By bringing the whole car park back into use and improving the overall customer experience, we are supporting the continued vitality of our city centre, quayside and evening economy.”
Cllr Anne Jobson (Con, St Loyes) said there was huge support from businesses and events organisers on the Quay for the council’s refurbishment project.
She told Cllr Bialyk: “Hopefully the car park will always be full, and you’ll get your money back!”
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