CAR PARK'S PREMIER AWARD

Staff at a Trowbridge shopping centre are celebrating after their car park was awarded  one of the industry’s top awards.

The Shires has been presented with the Park Mark award, making it one of only two in the area to receive the accreditation. The other is the railway station car park at Chippenham. Further afield, Swindon and Salisbury car parks have the award.

The scheme is managed by the British Parking Association on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers and granted under the Safer Parking Scheme.

A police employed accredited assessor inspected the car park and said it met all aspects of a strict criteria which include having effective management practices, good vehicle and pedestrian access, good lighting surveillance and access, a non-threatening environment and feels safe to users.

Chas Cannon, Safer Parking Scheme development manager for the BPA said: “I am delighted The Shires has achieved the Park Mark award. This shows the management take safety and security for their customers seriously and shoppers using the car park can be assured they are parking their vehicles in a facility that has been assessed safe by the local police.”

The car park is monitored 24 hours a day by The Shires’ security team.

The Shires' centre manager John Grinnell said: “We are delighted to be able to claim our car park is officially designated a safe and secure place for people to leave their cars. The Park Mark logo is a powerful message that demonstrates our commitment to providing a better service. Our security team, car park staff and cleaners do an excellent job, this award is down to them.”