Covent Garden Multi-Storey Car park in Leamington Spa will permanently close to the public on Sunday 12 February 2023 at 6pm.

The decision has been made by Warwick District Council, who have been closely monitoring the structure of the building for several years. Parts of the facility were sealed off in 2019 and more recently there have been ongoing issues of anti-social behaviour culminating in growing concerns about health and safety to the public. The Council’s Cabinet will therefore consider a report on the demolition of the car park at their February meeting.

In preparation for the closure, the Council has put in place plans to reduce the impact of the loss of the car park and to minimise any disruption to residents, businesses, and visitors.

The Covent Garden surface car park will remain open, and alternative car parking is available at St Peter’s, Adelaide Bridge, and the Council HQ at Riverside House. Drivers are also encouraged to use the car parks in Old Town such as Court Street and Bath Street where you can park all day for £3. More information will be shared at Covent Garden market on 29 January and on the council’s website.
Covent Garden season ticket and permit holders have already been notified of the closure and offered alternative parking options.
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Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services Councillor Moira-Ann Grainger commented:
“Although this has been a difficult decision, our priority must be the ongoing safety of car park users and the public.”
“This closure isn’t unexpected, with over half of the car park already closed it has been long recognised that the carpark was reaching the end of its useable life. Despite this closure, we are confident that there is sufficient parking in place to offset the temporary loss of spaces. We are working closely with the local community and businesses to ensure there is adequate parking to support the town centre future needs.”
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If the demolition of the car park is approved, the Council will continue to work in partnership with the Leamington Transformation Board to bring the site forward as part of their ambitious programme of work to renew and regenerate Royal Leamington Spa town centre.
This will be in tandem with other schemes currently underway including Spencer Yard and the Creative Quarter, with opportunities under consideration to bring both public services and key community facilities together in one location such as new car and cycle parks, and one-stop access to health and community services.

Time is running out for homeowners, landlords and private tenants in Warwick District to apply for funding to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and lower energy bills through the Green Homes Grants scheme.
Funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and delivered by the Council’s delivery partner E.ON with support from Act On Energy, the scheme aims to help improve the energy efficiency of low income private households in the District with free home improvements including solar PV panels, insulation and air source heat pumps.
The scheme has recently installed measures, such as solar PV and insulation, for 12 residents and a further 250 properties are in the process of receiving energy efficiency improvements. The scheme closes soon, so residents are urged to check their eligibility and apply today.
To be eligible, residents must:

· Own and live in their home, or privately rent within Warwick District; and
· Have a gross household income of less than £30,000 year OR someone in the home receives a means tested benefit and
· Have an EPC rating of D, E, F or G; if the home doesn’t have an EPC rating then E.ON will arrange this for you if they think that your property is energy inefficient

Funding for owner/occupiers is provided up to a maximum of £10,000 per property subject to the terms and conditions of the grant, with the work carried out by a Trustmark registered contractor.

Private tenants whose income meets the eligibility criteria are also encouraged to apply with the support and involvement of their landlord. Tenants are advised to speak to their landlord first to ascertain the energy performance rating of the property and ensure it meets the eligibility criteria. If landlords are unsure of the energy performance rating, tenants are still encouraged to apply.

There is no cost to the tenant, with landlords required to contribute a third of the cost, and a maximum grant of £5,000 per property.
Landlords will benefit from the scheme by having a more energy efficient property, which will help meet future minimum EPC rating requirements. Their tenants should also benefit financially and will be less likely to struggle with paying rent and utilities during the current cost of living crisis.
"Councillor Jan Matecki, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Assets said: “We recognise the importance of improving the energy efficiency of people’s homes not only for the climate, but also for the difference it makes to energy bills. Now has never been a more important time to do this, so I would encourage everyone eligible to get in touch and see what improvements can be made to your home to make it warm and affordable."

“Time really is running out on this scheme now, so please do get in touch today if you think you’re eligible.”

Sarah Farmer, Director of Residential Solutions at E.ON, said: “Energy efficiency is the first step to net zero, but it also means an end to people living in cold and draughty homes and wasting the energy which escapes through their walls and roofs.
“Millions of homes across the country desperately need an energy efficiency upgrade; working with Warwick District Council we’re tackling the challenge for people living in Warwick District.”
Applications are being made through local charity Act On Energy, with E.ON carrying out the installations. For more information about the scheme including details on how to apply, visit warwickdc.gov.uk/greenhomesgrants or call Act On Energy on 0800 988 2881 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

A cost of living support directory has recently been produced by the District Council, signposting residents to government and local support packages, as well as organisations that are able to offer advice during this difficult time.


Act On Energy are a local energy charity that can help residents understand their current energy spend and provide support and guidance around energy efficiency and fuel debt.

​actonenergy.org.uk/

With a view to improve communications and contacts Hs2 have produced a formal contact listing which may help under certain circumstances 

In the next election THIS YEAR you will need to provide identification before you can vote.

We will be publishing all of the information on the new rules in the coming weeks but if you want to get ahead of the game follow this link.
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www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id