The major changes taking place at Sheffield city centre's 'cheapest' covered car park

Victoria Quays car park, off North Quay Drive, close to the canal basin, has 327 spaces.

But Bank Parking, which has just taken over running the site, said it had fallen into a ‘sorry state’ and become frequented by drug users, leaving motorists afraid to park their cars there.

Car lands on roof after crash near park on Sheffield estate

That’s why the firm, which operates more than 30 car parks across the city and has donated nearly £200,000 to charity, is investing heavily in new lighting, CCTV cameras and other security measures.

The cost of parking has also changed, with the flat rate of £3 to park all day increasing to £4 when paid online or £6 otherwise, but prices now starting from £1 for up to an hour, with a percentage of proceeds going to St Luke’s Hospice Sheffield.

Bank Parking’s managing director Ashley Kelley said: “The car park had been in a sorry state for some time. Sadly it had become a place frequented by drug users and without CCTV cameras it was becoming known as unsafe place to park.

First picture released of Sheffield man stabbed to death in city

“In recent weeks we have taken over the management of the car park and all that is changing. We are heavily investing in making it secure, safe and clean for motorists to use as a gateway to Victoria Quays and the city centre.

“We are installing CCTV cameras, state of the art roller shutter doors, new lighting and much more. The new tariff which we have put in place also means it will remain the cheapest covered car park in the city centre and everyone who parks there automatically donates to St Luke’s Hospice.”

Motorists can still pay by cash or sign up to the online Hozah system which means the length of their stay is automatically recorded and they don’t have to worry about receiving a fine if they stay longer than they expected.

The new charges are:

0-1 hour: £1

1-2 hours: £2

2-3 hours: £3

3-9 hours: £5 (discounted £4 rate for Hozah customers only)

9-12 hours: £6 (discounted £4 rate for Hozah customers only)

12-24 hours: £12