BIRKENHEAD has the safest multi-storey car park in Britain - with a Chief of Police Gold Award to prove it. Grange Shopping Centre Manager Norma Clarke received the award from DCI Colin Mathews, of Birkenhead Police.

"Since the opening of this car park in September 1997, not one car has been reported stolen from the Grange. What better endorsement can the secure car park scheme have!" said DCI Mathews handing over the Association of Police Officers' AA Secure Car Park gold award - a first for the North West.

Architects, with shopping centre owners Legal and General, worked with police so that the multi-million pound extension to the Grange designed out crime.

The car park is both inviting and safe, especially for parents with children, or women alone. TV keeps an eye on cars and lifts. "We are delighted with the award. The Grange and Legal and General are proud to be the owners of this safe car park," says Mrs Clarke.

Birkenhead looks set to get a boost of 1,000 jobs. Everton chairman Peter Johnson's Birkenhead-based Park Foods plans to invest £2.5m in its HSL Division, a telephone calls centre management business. It is hoped that the new venture will boost Park Foods after its new 'wonder chip' Spuddles gobbled up profits.

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