Makers Construction Triumphs at British Parking Awards with Buckingham Road Renovation

This independent competition run by Parking Review and Landor LINKS celebrates the best of British parking since 2002.
The annual competition was launched by Parking Review magazine in 2002 to recognise and celebrate best practice, innovation and achievement in the design and management of public and private sector parking.

Mark Moran, editor of Parking Review, co-created and organises the annual competition. “This year we received a record tally of over 180 entries from across the public and private parking sectors, often working together,” he said. “Our largest ever jury of independent-minded experts have read, assessed, compared and debated the entries to select the finalists and final winners”!

Makers Construction has scooped the prestigious Car Park Renovation Award at the British Parking Awards 2025 for its transformational work on the Buckingham Road Multi-Storey Car Park in Worthing.

The glittering awards ceremony, held on Friday 12th September at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, was hosted by comedian and quiz show star Paul Sinha and attended by over 700 industry professionals.

The Buckingham Road project, delivered in partnership with BLB Group for Worthing Borough Council, stood out for its scale, ambition and community impact. Originally built in the 1960s, the 10-level structure had suffered years of neglect, antisocial behaviour, and severe structural wear, unfit for modern vehicles or today’s way of life. With Grafton Street MSCP one of the 3 multi storey car parks within Worthing earmarked for redevelopment, Worthing Council needed Buckingham Road to become the town’s primary multi-storey facility — safe, modern, and welcoming.

Worthing Council commissioned a £3 million refurbishment to extend the car park’s life by 20 years, turning what had been a grim and unsafe facility into a safe, welcoming, and modern landmark.
Makers’ were instructed after winning a competitive tender and their work addressed deep structural and social challenges, from marine-induced corrosion and spalling concrete to antisocial activity and poor accessibility.

A Beacon of Regeneration for Worthing

Situated just off Montague Street in the town centre, Buckingham Road MSCP is a vital link between the High Street and the seafront. The project’s goals went far beyond structural repair. It aimed to provide a “beacon” for regeneration, supporting local businesses and creating a positive first impression for visitors.

The refurbishment delivered a host of improvements:

Structural Repair & Protection

• Extensive concrete repairs using sacrificial anodes to combat high chloride levels.
• New liquid membrane systems on decks for waterproofing and protection.
• Additional steel supports to strengthen beams exposed to marine air.

Modernisation of Facilities

• Installation of 16 new EV charging bays, pioneering modern charging infrastructure in Worthing.
• Replacement of outdated lighting with high-efficiency LEDs, significantly improving visibility and cutting energy use.
• New payment systems offering cash, card, and MiPermit app options — with Buckingham Road acting as the pilot site for future town-wide rollouts.

Safety & Security

• Full CCTV coverage and a zoned fire alarm system.
• Suicide-prevention fencing on upper decks, preventing easy access to edges.
• Removal of the dark and antisocial entrance canopy, creating a brighter, more welcoming arrival point.
• Replacement of outdated timber and metal façade rails with full-height stainless steel open mesh panels, enhancing safety while maintaining light and openness.

Community & Accessibility

• Two dedicated dementia-friendly bays, uniquely designed with a forget-me-not motif and larger dimensions to support carers and drivers with early-onset dementia, making Worthing a leader in inclusive parking provision.
• 16 disabled spaces sized at 5.0m x 5.0m, plus new parent-and-child bays.
• Bright, colour-coded deck coatings and signage reflecting Worthing’s “Thriving Together” campaign.

Environmental Enhancements

• Drainage improvements to tackle ponding and flooding issues.
• Anti-bird measures to prevent nesting on upper decks.
• Sustainable finishes designed to reduce maintenance costs and environmental impact.

Transforming Perception

Before refurbishment, Buckingham Road MSCP was plagued by crime, vandalism, and anti-social behaviour, with residents frequently complaining of noise, drug use, and unsafe conditions.
Crucially, since reopening, no antisocial incidents have been recorded — a dramatic turnaround from the 15 incidents logged during the refurbishment period alone.

The project has achieved Park Mark accreditation under the Safer Parking Scheme and the new Park Access accreditation, recognising its inclusivity for disabled users and commitment to safety. Since reopening, antisocial behaviour incidents have dropped to zero.

Industry Recognition

The Car Park Renovation Award win cements Makers Construction’s reputation as a leader in complex refurbishment schemes, capable of tackling structural, social, and environmental challenges while placing community needs at the heart of design.
What was once an eyesore is now a beacon of Worthing’s regeneration programme — a modern, inclusive, and sustainable facility that supports local businesses and enhances the visitor experience.

From brighter lighting and safer access to dementia-friendly design and cutting-edge EV infrastructure, Buckingham Road MSCP now stands as a national example of how thoughtful refurbishment can breathe new life into ageing urban assets.

Simon Lamb, Managing Director of Makers Construction, praised his team’s dedication:
“So very proud of my team who won the Car Park Renovation Award for the Buckingham Road project in Worthing and were presented to the parking fraternity at The Lancaster Hotel London. This was a complex project, especially when considering Dementia Parking. Makers Construction continue to deliver excellent refurbishment projects meeting ever demanding challenges. To all my team, I thank you for your constant desire to deliver for your clients. Again, you have excelled — my congratulations to you all, you are a credit to the industry.”