Derby’s Assembly Rooms car park earned almost £400,000 before its closure, raising questions about the decision to shut it down.
Derby: New data shows the Assembly Rooms car park made nearly £400,000 before it closed. This has sparked debate about whether it should have shut down.
From October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, the car park earned £391,928. Originally, it was set for demolition, but that plan has been delayed.
Councillor Steve Hassall, from the opposition Conservative group, filed a Freedom of Information request after the car park closed. He and others suggested reopening it for the Christmas season.
The car park and Assembly Rooms were supposed to be demolished last October. However, issues with planning conditions have delayed this process, which could take months.
Hassall expressed surprise that it took almost three months to get the revenue figures. He believes this delay seems intentional and highlights poor decision-making by the Labour administration.
He pointed out that the figures show lost revenue and impact on local businesses due to the car park’s early closure.
In 2014, a fire damaged the roof of the Assembly Rooms car park. The FOI request also sought revenue loss estimates for the Christmas period, but that data wasn’t available.
Instead, the council provided figures from the last three years, showing a steady increase in revenue during that time.
Hassall also inquired about the costs of work done since the car park’s closure. He learned that demolition preparation work cost £22,460, including removing parking equipment and disconnecting gas supplies.
Asbestos removal is ongoing, but no separate cost for that was provided. Previously, the council leader stated it was not financially viable to reopen the car park.
Hassall questioned the evidence behind that claim. The council’s response indicated that reopening the car park would require costly repairs and maintenance.
Hassall criticized the timing of the closure, saying it hurt the local economy during a crucial period. He argued that the car park was safe before its closure.
A city council spokesperson noted that parking availability in the city exceeds demand, with eight council-operated car parks.
During the Christmas season, foot traffic in the Market Place increased, with no parking issues reported. The Assembly Rooms car park had reopened quickly after repairs in 2014.
