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The Windsor Street multi-storey car park in Stratford-upon-Avon is set to be demolished, together with three neighbouring buildings: Apex House, Elizabeth Place and Conrad House. A temporary surface car park with about 90 spaces would replace the 243-space multi-storey. Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s Cabinet approved the plan on Monday 5 October, using a £1.5 million budget it had already set aside (Cabinet report).
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Update, 13 October: the council has now published its formal decision notice. It confirms the demolition, subject to the legal, technical and statutory steps being completed, and allows a temporary surface car park on the Windsor Street site once the buildings are down. The decision can be “called in” for review by councillors and takes effect on Wednesday 21 October if it isn’t. Applications for the prior approval that demolition needs under planning rules have also been lodged with the council ( 26/02443/DEM11 for the car park, and 26/02444/DEM11 for the former Gateway office building on Arden Street). The Stratford Herald reports that the work is planned for January and February.
Why the buildings are coming down
The site is part of Stratford Gateway, the area between the town centre and the Canal Quarter around Windsor Street, Arden Street and Birmingham Road. The district council and the West Midlands Combined Authority own it between them. A 2023 masterplan sets out plans to redevelop it for homes, businesses, cultural and community uses and public space.
According to the report, the four buildings are vacant, underused or near the end of their working life. The car park is in generally poor condition, with lifts that don’t work and poor lighting, and officers don’t think repairing it would be economical. The council pays about £225,000 a year in business rates on the site. None of the four buildings is listed, and the historic frontages on Birmingham Road are not part of the demolition.
What it means for parking
- Windsor Street: the 243-space multi-storey would be replaced by a temporary surface car park of “in the order of 90” spaces. The final number depends on detailed design.
- Elsewhere: the council says it has more than 2,800 spaces in the town. Its capacity study found room in its other car parks for drivers displaced from Windsor Street, with the Park & Ride as a further option.
- Arden Street: more parking on Arden Street is being considered in the longer term. Meanwhile, the cleared Arden Street sites would be fenced off with hoardings until they’re redeveloped.
For the nearest alternatives, see where to park instead of Windsor Street, or our Stratford parking guide and the parking cost calculator.
When will it happen?
Demolition still needs prior approval under planning rules (now applied for), a legal agreement with the West Midlands Combined Authority, and surveys covering ecology, utilities and party walls. The report calls the timetable indicative. Officers aim to finish approvals and procurement during 2026 and appoint a demolition contractor towards the end of 2026 and into early 2027. One contract would cover all four buildings. The car park’s reinforced concrete may be crushed and reused.
Also at the same Cabinet meeting
The Cabinet also agreed to give Stratford BID £17,145 until 31 March 2027. The money extends its town centre street wardens beyond their current five days a week, with more evening and weekend cover and patrols of council car parks (report, decision). The meeting’s other decisions are in our Cabinet round-up.
We’ll follow the prior approval applications and the demolition contract. More on council decisions.
Alex Harrington
Alex Harrington grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and runs What's up, Stratford? as an independent guide to the town.
