THE second phase of a major £2.3 million repair of Poole’s Dolphin Shopping Centre multi-storey is progressing well, council officials say.

Level F of the car park has already reopened to the public, with a further deck – Level A – reopening this week.

Over the next three months all the internal decks of the multi-storey will be refurbished.

The car park will remain open for customers, with access to the shops maintained throughout the works.

Borough of Poole (BOP) engineering manager John Rice said: “This latest phase of extensive repair work costing approximately £2.3 million, is part of a co-ordinated programme to upgrade Poole town centre car parks.

“Since 2014 we have completed the refurbishment of both Shoppers 1 and 2 roof car parks and we are now continuing with the major improvements to the Dolphin Shopping Centre’s multi-storey car park to bring it to a standard expected by our customers.”

Work currently being carried out includes concrete repairs to the ceilings, columns and floors; anti-carbonation paint being applied to protect structures from deterioration; car park exterior repainted; signage and line markings refreshed.

Dolphin Shopping Centre manager John Grinnell said: “We’re happy to see any improvements to the car parking facility at the shopping centre and look forward to it completing soon.”

Meanwhile, BOP head of growth and infrastructure, Julian McLaughlin, said: “The refurbishment of our car parks is part of the council’s ongoing commitment to maintaining Poole town centre’s infrastructure to support retailers and the economic growth of the town.

“A key priority is ensuring the continued regeneration of Poole.

“This work forms part of the significant regeneration investment planned in the town centre benefitting both residents and visitors to the area.”