Car park works at Castlepoint in Bournemouth have finally come to an end after five years.

The reconstruction has involved five phases of works and two walkway reconstructions with the car park and its 2,800+ spaces now fully rebuilt.

A primary focus has been to minimise the impact on shoppers, store staff and the community.

Measures taken included a phased approach to the works, increased provision of parking marshals to direct shoppers and visitors and regular communications on the Castlepoint website and via social media channels.

To mark completion, pupils from Bethany CE Junior School were invited to join David Pickett, Centre Manager, at Castlepoint.

They were thanked with goody bags offering vouchers for stores.

He said: “The community has been so supportive as these necessary works have been undertaken and we know that local residents, shoppers and families will be pleased to see the works are now behind us.

“Castlepoint is looking and feeling a bright and inviting place to visit, with our many full-range big name stores and new brands proving a hit with our customers – all that much easier to visit with the hoardings and cordons now gone.

“Castlepoint is at the heart of such a great community and that is why we wanted to invite local children to mark the end of this chapter.

“A small, goody-bag-shaped thank you is a nod to our gratitude and one small part of a wider campaign underway to celebrate and support the community we are lucky to be a part of as we celebrate Castlepoint’s birthday later this year.”

The shopping park, which is home to 40 big name brands, will mark its 20th birthday in October.

It has launched a year-long campaign aimed at helping the local community through volunteering, charity initiatives, donations, events and more.

Project Positivity is open to local charities, schools and organisations.

No request will be too big or small with one different cause (or more) chosen every month for support.

To find out more about applying for support during Project Positivity, visit castlepointshopping.com/projectpositivity or contact info@castlepointshopping.co.uk