A £200,000 upgrade to Purley town centre’s multi-storey car park is complete.

Croydon Council announced that two new, upgraded lifts are now working in the 424-space building in Whytecliffe Road South.

New roller shutters have also been installed in front of the lift areas on every level of the car park, together with a control system which enables them to be closed overnight. Together with new lighting and an interior repaint, council hopes these measures will help to prevent anti-social behaviour around the lifts.

The improvements were this week welcomed by workers. Christine Milne, in Barnados on Purley High Street gave the news a ‘big thumbs up,' while Londis staff member Deban Sqbramaniyam said: “It’s a good thing as this area hasn’t got any other big car parks. It’s good for us.”

The original lifts were installed when the car park opened in the 1980s to serve a now-closed supermarket, but had been broken or faulty for several years before the last two were taken out of service in 2015.

Councillor Stuart King, said: “I’m pleased to see these improvements to a major parking facility that serves so many local shoppers, workers and commuters.

"The new lifts make it easier for everyone to access the car park, and particularly important, provide step-free access to the town centre from the disabled parking spaces on the second floor.

“The upgrades give the car park a much better look and feel, and I’m sure will encourage many more people to make use of it and the town centre.”