Closed car park still being used by drivers

Drivers are still using a multi-storey car park in Coventry city centre, more than two months after it was officially closed because the firm operating it when bust.

Belgrade Plaza was owned by National Car Parks (NCP) but the firm collapsed in March 2026 and the Coventry site closed on 16 April.

Despite being empty and unmanned, people are still parking there for free, even though there are reports of the structure being full of rubbish and litter and in some cases, drug paraphernalia.

In a statement, Coventry City Council, which owns the freehold of the site, said: "The council is aware of concerns about the security of the car park and has been pressing for this to be resolved."

Prompted by reports of drivers still using the 1,100-space car park, the BBC visited and found that there were no barriers to entry and there were cars parked in bays.

Payment machines had been vandalised, litter was strewn across floors in corridors between levels and there were signs that drugs had been taken on site.

One un-named driver said he did not feel unsafe, despite the lack of security.

"Since it went into administration, the way the place has deteriorated and all the rubbish around, the vandalism it's shocking really. You can't believe it," he said.

"I only live just across the road so it's very convenient, but it just astonishes me the way the general public treat places. It's dreadful."

A spokesperson for Coventry City Council said: "Responsibility for the security and safety of the site sits with the head leaseholder, Belgrade Plaza Estates Limited, and the tenant, NCP, under the terms of their lease agreements, which include health and safety obligations.

"The council is now taking legal advice on the options available to it, including potential enforcement action."

PwC, the administrators for NCP, said: "A formal surrender of the property has been offered to the head leaseholder.

"In these circumstances, it would be expected that the head leaseholder would take steps to secure and maintain the property."

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