UK's largest car park operator, NCP, has quit from its multi-storey car park in Rhode Street, Chatham. The 261-space car park in the town centre has been closed since 28 September and recently saw all of its NCP signage removed. It is believed NCP took the decision to close it after it was unsuccessful in demanding a rent reduction as part of a financial restructuring of its car park portfolio across the UK. A spokesperson for NCP said: "NCP is now no longer running that site and no jobs have been affected as a result of this." However, some sources indicate that the car park is due to reopen after "4 to 6 weeks" under the management of a new operator, who is yet to be revealed. The new operator is said to be exploring options to improve the car park, including a new payment system and extended CCTV coverage. Chatham's NCP isn't the only car park that the operator has suddenly shut in recent weeks, with other sites including a car park in Sheffield city centre and nearby in Ashford. The sudden closure comes just a year after the freehold of both the car park and the former Trafalgar Centre beside it were acquired for £2.87 million by Aylesford-based TBH Real Estate Investments.
No plans for the site have come forward yet, although a planning application is expected to be submitted "shortly", according to sources. Medway Council's masterplan for Chatham town centre from 2019 suggests the site could be appropriate for a new 'Creative Hub' with art & culture facilities, cafes, restaurants and student accommodation. Trafalgar Centre permanently closed in December 2013 and has stood unused ever since. It was initially built in the 1960s as a Fine Fare supermarket before closing in 1987, later becoming the InShops indoor market in the 1990s. 10/11/2021 09:51:14
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