CAR PARK LOSS PUTS SHOPPER OFF VISITING
A DISGRUNTLED shopper has hit out at city council plans to bulldoze a multi-storey car park which will mean the loss of 461 spaces.
Plans have been unveiled to demolish Meigh Street multi-storey, as well as the Goodson building and former retail unit beneath the car park in Hanley.
This is part of Stoke-on-trent City Council’s plans to transform Hanley by building a tram station, indoor arena, hotel, homes and a new car park in the next 15 years.
But regular Potteries shopper, Jean Dawson, criticised the proposals.
Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, the pensioner would use the car park once a week. And following the shops reopening on April 12, she visited but ended up driving back home.
The 74-year-old, from Packmoor, said: “When I went to Hanley last Monday, and went to park as usual, I was angry because I didn’t know it was going to be closed.
“You needed a mobile phone for the NCP car park and the machines weren’t working. I turned around and went home in disgust.”
Jean says the loss of the car park has put her off going to Hanley.
She added: “I just think the council is making all these plans for 15 years and they might never come off.
“I want them to do some repairs inside. I’d like to see the car park remain there and be improved.”
When the plans were unveiled in October, Daniel Jellyman, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said both Meigh Street multi-storey and the Goodson building were coming to the end of their lifespan. He said it meant sense to incorporate them into the wider redevelopment plans.