Cannock multi-storey car park likely to stay shut

District council deputy leader Gordon Alcott said he did not believe the car park, which was shut suddenly after fears over its structure were flagged up, would be repaired.

The cost of ordering major repairs on the car park building on Ringway is likely to put council bosses off at a time when the authority is under increasing financial strain, Councillor Alcott said.

The revelation will come as a blow to businesses who have demanded answers about how long the multi-storey will be out of action. Traders have raised fears the loss of the main car park will have a damaging impact on town centre businesses, particularly during the busy Christmas period.

The building was sealed off as an emergency after a routine inspection unearthed structural problems. A complete repair job would likely be a costly project. It had previously been hoped the closure would only be a temporary measure.

Councillor Alcott said: "It won't be back open at all. We have got no ambition to open it because of the safety risks. It's not safe to the public and nobody would want us to open a building that is not safe.

"It is not going to be repaired as far as I know. We haven't got the money to repair it. We don't want it to be one of these things we start and then we are not able to repair it."

Despite admitting the car park was unlikely to re-open, the deputy leader said he was not overly concerned about the parking situation around the town centre.

He added: "We are well-serviced for car parking around the town. We shall have to wait and see what the council decided on it. No final decision has yet been made on what we're doing with it but I don't think it will be open again in the near future."