A CITY CENTRE car park previously branded one of York's worst eyesores has been refurbished in time for the launch of Thursday late-night shopping.

Tanner Row car park has been overhauled and renovated to host 250 car parking spaces and secure cycle parking.

CCTV cameras are in operation and four attendants will patrol the area in a bid to make it one of the safest, cleanest and most user-friendly car parks in the city.

The city centre site was bought by Yorkshire-based developers, the Oakgate group, in a multi-million pound deal.

Tanner Row will join Piccadilly and Shambles car parks staying open until 9pm on Thursday nights to coincide with the new late-night shopping hours.

Alison Stewart, property director for Oakgate, said: "We are here to help shoppers in York and to breathe life into the city centre.

"We are now investing a great deal of time, money and attention to pro-actively manage the car park."

Tanner Row will open from 7am to 7pm on other weekdays and from 9am to 6pm on Sundays.

Updated: 09:06 Wednesday, April 16, 2003