CAR parking in Gravesend's St George’s Centre is being given a makeover.

Owners Edinburgh House Estates, which is also behind plans for the regeneration of Gravesend’s Heritage Quarter, is redecorating the Church Street site, giving it new signs and lighting and improving security.

The work is due to start mid-September and should be finished in November, in time for Christmas shoppers.

It pre-empts the company’s hopes of doubling the number of parking spaces in the town centre if its planning application for a 32 storey tower and additional shops and restaurants in and around the Heritage Quarter is given the go ahead.

Edinburgh House managing director Tony Quayle said: "The new parking provision in the Heritage Quarter will be a huge boost to Gravesend’s shoppers and retailers alike.

"Better parking facilities will make it quicker and easier to park and will encourage people to visit the town centre rather than going further afield."