THE multi-storey car parks in Mill Lane, Margate, and Leopold Street, Ramsgate, will cost £458,000 for essential repairs, while the annual lease costs Thanet District Council £285,000.

The council is tied to the rent agreement that means there will be less to spend on essential services, said Cllr Ken Gregory, cabinet member in charge of car parks.

He said that by the year 2020, when the council has an option to purchase them, the annual rent would have risen to almost £400,000.

Council leader Cllr Richard Nicholson said: "The multi-storey car parks are concrete monstrosities that the council was lumbered with. They are a cash cow for the owners and a financial albatross for us."