Operator contract for Glen Fern multi-storey car park cancelled

National Car Parks (NCP) is no longer the operator for the Glen Fern multi storey car park in Bournemouth town centre after its contract was ended by the site owner.

The site itself, between Glen Fern Road and Fir Vale Road, is set to be transformed into a modern 24-storey multi-use development after plans were given the green light by BCP Council’s planning committee in January.

Proposals for the venture include a nightclub, boutique cinema, restaurants and sky bar to accompany a hotel and residential flats.

CGI of Boho Grand - proposed redevelopment of site between Glen Fern Road and Fir Vale Road in Bournemouth (Image: Daily Echo)

Richard Carr, CEO for developer Fortitudo, said the car park had gone back to being operated by its original owners after the deal with NCP “didn’t work out”.

One resident attended the car park in late February and reported seeing a team from NCP removing its signage.

National Car Parks was approached to comment but, as of publication, did not respond. The car park now longer appears on its website and the multi storey’s dedicated website – glenfernmultistorey.co.uk – is defunct.

The multi-storey is cited opposite the council run short stay Glen Fern car park, which will remain unimpacted by the development.

Mr Carr also told the Echo that demolition of the multi-storey will take place next year, and that construction on the development – which will be known as Boho Grand – will begin in around July 2024.

Glen Fern multi-storey car park in Bournemouth. (Image: Newsquest)

“We’ve got an awful lot to do and there’s obviously tonnes of work going on behind the scenes but not yet visible on the site,” he said.

It is hoped the project could be completed by 2027.

The existing 1970s built multi-storey car park has been described as “the worst designed modern complex ever constructed in central Bournemouth” by conservation group Bournemouth Civic Society.

Planning committee member Cllr Toby Johnson described the structure as “hideous and decaying at a significant rate” in his reasoning for approving the Boho Grand development.

He added: “I think it looks absolutely fantastic and certainly better than what is there – several lumps of disgusting concrete that look atrocious and diminish everything around them.”