A multi-storey car park in Mansfield will have wider than standard spaces when it reopens following essential improvements.

Walkden Street car park will be closed from Monday, 16 February for six weeks to allow the first phase of a £1.2m project to take place.

Levels 1A and 1B will reopen on 30 March but the remaining level,s 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B, will remain closed for a further six weeks until 27 April.

The contractor, Makers of Shenstone, Staffordshire, have been appointed to carry out major structural repairs, waterproofing, redecoration and improved lighting.

The number of car parking spaces will be reduced from 433 to 381 to allow all spaces to be the same width as standard parent/child spaces and bays for blue badge holders to make the car park more family friendly. This will make the standard spaces among the widest in Nottinghamshire – perfect for families and larger vehicles such as vans and 4x4s.

The improvements will make the car park more suitable for families with safe walking lanes painted behind spaces.

Although the entrance and exit will remain in the same positions, the layout will be changed to improve traffic flow and new signs will be installed.

The metal panels and railings on the inside and outside of the car park will be repainted, helping to improve the overall appearance of the area.

The Council’s Shopmobility service will operate from the Four Seasons multi-storey car park for 12 weeks while the work takes place. There are disabled parking spaces on level 1A of the car park where lifts will take customers directly to the Shopmobility area near the toilets. To book a mobility scooter from 16 February, contact 01623 635 825 or 01623 463 407.

The businesses under the car park – B&M, Poundstretcher and British Heart Foundation – will be open as normal but may experience some noise disruption.

Cllr Kate Allsop, Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration at Mansfield District Council, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused during these improvements, which will make a huge difference to shoppers and visitors. As well as the wider spaces, the external appearance of the car park will be greatly improved and provide a much better first impression of that gateway into Mansfield town centre.”