TCCP drives ahead with deals
TOWN Centre Car Parks is on the look-out for further acquisition opportunities after taking over the management of two key city centre sites.
Ben Ziff, managing director of the business, told TheBusinessDesk.com that the division was “very much back in the car park business in Leeds” following its latest deals.
TCCP has taken over the management of the Edward Street and Templar Street car parks in Leeds city centre from NCP.
The move will enable TCCP to manage the car parks in conjunction with London-based development company Hammerson.
Mr Ziff, who is the son of Edward, the chief executive of Stock Market-quoted property investment and development company Town Centre Securities, said the capacity of the two car parks was 520 spaces.
“Our aim is to enhance the car parks and make them more flexible to reflect the needs of commuters and shoppers,” he said.
TCCP plans to replace the pay-and-display machines at the sites with an innovative Automatic Number Plate Recognition system.
Mr Ziff added: “We are also planning a parking feature which is unique in Leeds, namely the ability to pay on-line up to 24 hours after departure. That will make it so much easier and flexible for drivers who haven’t got the right amount of cash with them.”
The company already owns and manages the Merrion Centre, Clarence Dock and Whitehall Riverside car parks in the city as part of a nine strong portfolio in Yorkshire and the North West.
Commenting on TCCP’s future plans, 25-year-old Ben Ziff added: “We are now very much back in the car park business in Leeds. We have owned and managed car parks across England and Scotland for the past 40 years.
“We are also on the acquisition trail looking for new development opportunities and existing car parks on a freehold or long leasehold basis, which we can design, build and operate in major cities across the UK.”
Mr Ziff also said the division was looking to explore further its innovative green energy operation, which saw solar panels installed on the roof of Clarence Dock car park in a partnerhip with GMI Construction and Rex Procter & Partners.
He said there were two other projects “in the pipeline”.
“There may be a recession going on but I’m looking at where this business will be in 10 years time,” said Mr Ziff.
“It’s about making the business better and changing and evolving with the times. That’s key.”
