The £2 million car park refurb showcases environmental credentials
The first stage of the £100 million, transformation of the St. Enoch Centre in Glasgow has been revealed with the unveiling of the complex’s new car parking facilities.
Canadian-based owners and managers Ivanhoe Cambridge have invested more than £2 million in a major refurbishment of the Centre’s 750-space car park and, in line with the company’s commitment to promoting renewable energy, have introduced an innovative ‘green’ element to the new facility.
In a first for Glasgow city centre retail, St. Enoch’s is leading the way by providing charging bays which enable drivers of electric vehicles to recharge while visiting the Centre’s car park.
Four of the bays – painted in a distinctive green – will be located on the Centre’s second floor and the number will potentially be increased in line with demand. Customers will be able to recharge their vehicles for free and the Elektrobay charging points are simple to use with recharging cables and access keys free to hire direct from the Centre.
Improved facilities have also been installed for cyclists with allocated motor cycle spaces located throughout the car park and new bike stands planned as part of the Centre’s redevelopment.
Susan Nicol, General Manager of the St. Enoch Centre, said:
“One of the key objectives of our £100 million transformation programme is to identify new ways of enhancing the visitor experience at the Centre and I’m delighted that our refurbished car park will provide a much-improved environment for our customers.
“At the same time, we are exploring every opportunity to adopt initiatives and policies which are in line with Ivanhoe Cambridge’s commitment to sustainable development. The introduction of charging bays for drivers of electric cars will not only offer a convenient new service for our visitors but also helps to raise further awareness of greener forms of transport.”
The £2 million upgrading also includes provision of enhanced lighting and new ticket machines, improved signage in lift lobbies, installation of CCTV systems and general repairs to the fabric of the building.
St. Enoch Centre has forged a partnership with the UK arm of leading energy supplier Gaz de France which means that its entire supply of electricity comes from renewable sources. The Centre is also working with the Government-sponsored Carbon Trust to explore green initiatives which can be implemented as part of its redevelopment programme.
A new metering system will be installed to control and monitor energy, solar shading will be used to control heat and minimise air conditioning and there will be an upgrading of plant and equipment controls to improve efficiency.
