The operators of one of Bradford city centre’s largest car parks have been urged to take immediate action after visitors reported filthy conditions, human waste and signs of drug use throughout the building.
Southgate Car Park on Thornton Road, which has more than 430 spaces and sits just yards from the Bradford Live entertainment venue, has been described as being in an “unacceptable” condition.
Visitors have reported a strong smell of urine throughout the multi-storey car park, litter scattered across several levels, human faeces in a stairwell and discarded nitrous oxide canisters.
The condition of the car park has been reported to Bradford Council’s Environmental Health team, with calls for improved security and a permanent staff presence on site.
According to LinkedIn, the former NCP-operated facility was taken over by Ocean Parking last month. The company said it had upgraded the site to improve the parking experience for visitors to nearby attractions.
Parking charges are £1.95 for one hour, £7.80 for four hours and £12.50 for 24 hours.
With the nearby Kirkgate Centre car park having recently closed and Bradford Live preparing to welcome thousands of visitors for performances by Gloria Gaynor, Hawkwind and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, concerns have been raised about the impression the facility will leave on visitors.
Jonny Noble, Chair of Bradford BID, said: “We would urge the operators of Southgate Car Park on Thornton Road to introduce a member of staff into the car park to help keep it clean and tidy, while also assisting in reporting anti-social behaviour.
“First impressions are vital and, for visitors parking there, the current situation is unacceptable.”
Ocean Parking announced its takeover of the site on LinkedIn four weeks ago.
The company said: “Now fully open under Ocean Parking management, the site has been upgraded to include 24-hour ANPR, CCTV monitoring for security, a range of payment options and a versatile permit provision designed to support local demand.
“We’ve also retained accessibility through reduced rates for visitors to local landmarks.
“Same car park, different operator, delivered quickly, with minimal disruption, and a clear focus on customer experience.”
Ocean Parking’s website includes a section titled Seeing is Believing, highlighting examples of improvements made at other parking facilities.
Southgate Car Park is not currently featured.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted Ocean Parking and Bradford Council for comment.
After receiving reports about the condition of Southgate Car Park, Local Democracy reporter, Chris Young visited the site on Wednesday 24 June to see it for himself. This is what he found:
“The reality was worse than expected.
“On entering the building, the floor was heavily stained and littered with rubbish. While a new payment machine had been installed, two older machines appeared to have been stripped of their hardware and left in place.
“Within moments of entering the ground floor, several discarded nitrous oxide canisters were visible, along with an empty box that had previously contained multiple canisters, left in one of the “Premier Parking” bays.
“The stairwell presented an even more disturbing scene. There was litter throughout, cigarette ends, unidentified stains on the floor and a strong smell of urine.
“There were bags, discarded footwear, food packaging and what appeared to be evidence that people had been sleeping in the stairwell.
“At the top of the first flight of stairs was what appeared to be human faeces lying on the floor alongside an empty food tin.
“On the first floor, abandoned cans of cider and several half-eaten fish and chip meals had been left scattered across the concrete.
“The lifts were also out of service, with notices instructing visitors to use the stairs instead.
“Only a handful of vehicles were parked inside the car park on what should have been a busy summer evening.
“For many visitors attending Bradford Live or arriving in the city centre for the first time, Southgate Car Park may be their first impression of Bradford.
“In its current condition, it is difficult to believe that this is the welcome the city wants to offer.”
