Gorrell Tank car park has partially reopened this afternoon, after it closed for urgent repairs two weeks ago.

Southern Water, which owns the land, originally predicted it would take five weeks to fix problems with the run-off water tank that sits beneath the car park.

The news was met with dismay from local shop owners, who worried their trade would be affected with the loss of more than 200 parking spaces opposite the town's popular harbour.

But a spokesman said last night: "We’ve been working hard to complete the urgent repairs at Gorrell Tank, Whitstable and, with the repairs to the western side of the tank virtually complete, we hope to be in a position to reopen part of the car park tomorrow evening.

"We’re continuing with our work on the rest of the car park and will fully reopen it as soon as it’s safe to do so.

"We're grateful for the community's understanding while we carry out this essential work and apologise for the inconvenience caused."

Southern Water announced just after noon that the western side of the car park is now open.

Cllr Ben Fitter-Harding, chair of the council’s regeneration and property committee, said: “We’re grateful to Southern Water for pulling out all the stops to get

half of the tank open so quickly. It’s the town’s largest car park and is very important,particularly in the summer months when Whitstable is so busy.

“We look forward to the swift completion of the remaining work and a return to a fully operational car park.”

Southern Water hopes to complete repairs to temporary supports in Gorrell Tank by the end of June.