MOTORISTS in York could find parking at even more of a premium after a popular car park shut its doors.

The private car park, based in the old Pullman Coaches building on Navigation Road, closed at the start of this week - with no plans to reopen.

Kevin Booth, who ran the car park, said the lease had run out on his tenure on the building.

He made the decision not to renew that lease in the light of his "numerous" other business interests.

Car parking in York is already under pressure following a City of York Council review last year.

The authority axed more than 1,000 council-owned spaces, in a bid to encourage less congestion in the city centre.

But the council says its research shows that car parks in the city are not at full capacity. Mr Booth said: "I gave notice on the building. I have given the lease up as it has expired. The area is already subject to redevelopment. I feel a bit sorry for the contract customers."

Updated: 10:33 Friday, May 02, 2003