A POPULAR shopping centre is showing unwelcome signs of being a victim of its own success.

Millions of shoppers pour into Stockton by car each year taking advantage of the free-for-three-hours policy in operation at the Castlegate Centre's multi-storey car park.

Repairs are to be carried out to the decks of the car park, beginning next month.

Concrete repair work costing £15,000 will be undertaken to the floors on levels one, two and three, which will last from June 4 to June 12.

This will result in the temporary closure of the first four decks. The usual entrance to the multi-storey car park in Tower Street will be closed as a result, and access to Castlegate's car parks will be via the circular ramp, on Riverside Road.

Centre manager John Clift said: "With 12.5m visitors a year, Castlegate's car parks experience above average wear and tear that has to be attended to on a regular basis.

"However, it's business as usual during these latest works and while there is bound be some temporary disruption, both our roof top car park and floors five, six and seven of the multi-storey car park will still be operational with the first three hours car parking free of charge."