A crime-hit car park that has faced a wave of closures has finally reopened after essential repairs were made.

The facility in Park Mall, Ashford, closed in April for maintenance after reports of white stalactites dripping from the ceiling.

But after two months, the bottom floor of the facility in Edinburgh Road reopened this morning.

A council spokesperson said: “We are pleased to confirm that Park Mall car park has now reopened following some essential maintenance work to remove stalactites from the roof and improve lighting.”

The top floor, which was cordoned off earlier this year in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour, remains closed with no clear plan for what might happen in the future.

The car park has had a troubled history since former operator NCP pulled out from running the facility in September 2021 with just 32 hours notice.

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) then took over the running of the car park, and after 10 months shut, it reopened last July.

During the closures, traders in Park Mall say the vacant site has been a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

The car park now operates a cashless system, although automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras are yet to be installed.

It is part of a pilot scheme which could be rolled out to other car parks across the borough if successful.