Project
Buckingham Road Car Park
Product
Triflex DeckFloor
Size (M2)
7,300 m²
Contractor
Makers Construction Ltd
- The Background
Buckingham Road Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP) in Worthing is a key part of the town’s “Thriving Together” regeneration programme, an ambitious initiative to revitalise the town centre, boost economic growth, and create welcoming public spaces for residents, visitors, and local businesses. Makers Construction were appointed as the Design & Build contractor, working in partnership with BLB Surveyors LLP and Pick Everard, to deliver a complete structural and aesthetic refurbishment of this much-used community facility.
Built in the mid-1960s, the car park had suffered significant deterioration after decades of exposure to the coastal environment. Situated just 200 metres from Montague Street, Worthing’s main retail area, it provides essential parking for shoppers, visitors, and commuters. Years of wear and previous ineffective repairs had resulted in concrete carbonation, chloride corrosion, and widespread water ingress, leaving the structure tired and unsafe. Outdated lighting and dark stairwells created an uninviting atmosphere, while antisocial behaviour further discouraged use. Worthing Borough Council’s goal was to transform the facility into a safe, modern, and attractive asset that reflected the town’s regeneration ambitions. The project required a durable solution to restore structural integrity, improve accessibility, and extend the building’s service life by at least 20 years.
Makers Construction delivered a coordinated programme combining structural repairs with visual and operational improvements. Works included concrete breakout and reinstatement, steel reinforcement replacement, and the installation of sacrificial anodes to reduce future corrosion. High-performance waterproofing membranes were applied across all decks to prevent further water penetration and enhance long-term protection. Aesthetic enhancements played an equally important role. New aluminium façade fins were installed across three elevations, giving the building a modern architectural identity. Internally, high-visibility coatings, decorative column painting, and open-mesh safety barriers improved both light and safety. LED lighting created a brighter, energy-efficient environment, while accessibility upgrades introduced electric vehicle bays, parent-and-child spaces, and dementia-friendly parking areas featuring the Alzheimer’s Society Forget-Me-Not logo.
The car park remained partially open throughout the refurbishment, requiring detailed sequencing and close coordination with Worthing Borough Council and local stakeholders. Makers Construction’s planning and communication minimised disruption and ensured the project met all quality, safety, and budget expectations.
The completed refurbishment has transformed a deteriorated, unwelcoming structure into a bright, safe, and efficient facility. Buckingham Road MSCP now stands as a proud example of sustainable urban renewal, improving user experience, restoring public confidence, and supporting Worthing’s wider vision.
- The Challenge
The refurbishment of Buckingham Road MSCP presented a wide range of technical, environmental, operational, and logistical challenges that required flexibility, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving at every stage. As a structure built in the mid-1960s and located less than 500 metres from the seafront, the car park had endured decades of exposure to salt-laden air, wind, and rain. This resulted in widespread carbonation, chloride-induced corrosion, and structural fatigue affecting concrete decks, beams, and reinforcement, exceeding initial expectations in severity. Addressing these issues required adaptive solutions to deliver a facility that was both structurally sound and visually transformed.
The marine environment posed one of the greatest technical challenges. Chloride ingress throughout the upper decks necessitated extensive concrete breakout, replacement of corroded reinforcement, and installation of sacrificial anodes to protect against further deterioration. Some original beams showed evidence of stress and fatigue, requiring integration of additional structural supports to restore load-bearing capacity. Carrying out these interventions within a multi-level car park with low headroom ramps, confined spaces, and live pedestrian access required meticulous planning and coordination.
Operational logistics were equally complex. Buckingham Road MSCP is located in a densely populated area, surrounded by retail and residential properties, with a ground-floor commercial tenant in situ. Maintaining access for pedestrians, delivery vehicles, and customers while executing structural repairs and façade installations demanded detailed sequencing, temporary barriers, and strict control of plant and material movements. Noise, dust, and vibration management were essential to avoid disruption to neighbouring businesses, residents, and public spaces, and works were carefully scheduled around peak usage periods. Programme, budget, and regulatory constraints further influenced delivery. Scope adjustments were necessary to align with the funding provided through the “Thriving Together” initiative. Makers Construction coordinated with Worthing Borough Council and design consultants to ensure compliance with Building Regulations, fire safety standards, accessibility legislation, and environmental objectives, adjusting design solutions in real time while keeping within programme and budget limitations.
User safety and antisocial behaviour were also central considerations. The existing facility included poorly lit stairwells, blind corners, and enclosed entrances, which encouraged misuse and vandalism. Makers introduced transparent mesh façades, high-visibility LED lighting, strategically placed CCTV, and suicide prevention fencing on exposed decks. These enhancements improved safety while maintaining visual permeability and openness. Finally, climate resilience and sustainability were integrated into the project.
- The Solution
The refurbishment of Buckingham Road MSCP required a high standard of workmanship, reflecting both technical precision and careful attention to detail. Makers Construction’s approach combined structural expertise, practical site management, and aesthetic sensitivity, ensuring that the car park not only achieved long-term durability but also provided a safe, modern, and welcoming environment for all users. The project demanded meticulous execution across multiple disciplines, from heavy structural repairs to decorative finishes, all coordinated on a live urban site with ongoing pedestrian and vehicular activity.
Structural interventions formed the backbone of the project. Upper decks had suffered severe concrete degradation, steel corrosion, and structural fatigue due to decades of coastal exposure. Makers’ operatives executed precise concrete breakout to remove compromised material while maintaining alignment and cover for the remaining reinforcement. Corroded steel was replaced, and sacrificial anodes were installed strategically to mitigate further chloride-induced deterioration. Each deck and beam underwent detailed inspection and verification, ensuring all interventions met design specifications for structural integrity and long-term performance. High-performance liquid membranes were applied across inter-decks to provide additional waterproofing and durability, preventing future water ingress and reinforcing the facility’s resilience.
The installation of façade and fenestration elements highlighted both skill and attention to aesthetics. Timber and metal railings were replaced with full-height stainless steel open mesh panels, providing safety, visual transparency, and enhanced natural light penetration. Aluminium fins were installed across three elevations in a precise, multicoloured arrangement, requiring careful measurement, alignment, and handling to ensure visual consistency. These installations were coordinated alongside ongoing structural works, demonstrating the team’s ability to integrate complex tasks efficiently without compromising site safety or operational continuity.
Internally, Makers Construction elevated the user experience through high-quality finishes. Stairwells, ramp walls, and columns were painted using distinct colour schemes aligned with the “Thriving Together” branding, enhancing navigation and wayfinding across all levels. Floor coatings with high reflectivity improved both visibility and the perception of safety, while durable finishes provided resilience under continuous foot and vehicle traffic. Installation of specialist features, such as dementia-friendly bays marked with the Alzheimer’s Society Forget-Me-Not logo, demonstrated careful attention to accessibility and inclusivity. Parent-and-child and electric vehicle bays were similarly well-integrated with clear line-marking and signage, blending practicality with aesthetic appeal.
- Gallery
