UPDATED 3PM

A MASSIVE Worcester car park has been closed off during the evenings due to yobs, it has emerged.

Worcester City Council says its St Martin's Gate multi-storey, which has 780 spaces, has had to be shut off due to "anti-social behaviour".

But the move has sparked concern that the city's night-time economy is being damaged by the surprise overnight shutdown.

The huge complex is used by hundreds of drivers looking for easy access to Worcester's bars, restaurants and other amenities.

But the closure, which the Labour leadership launched in May as a "trial", lasts from 9pm until 7am daily.

Conservative Councillor Stephen Hodgson has accused the authority of "taking the easy option" and is calling for a re-think.

But the Labour administration has responded by saying it will be reviewed in July - and has also insisted the site has attracted too much attention from trouble-makers and boy racers.

Before the closure the sprawling car park had also seemingly been used as a makeshift garage, with cars having their tyres changed and oil spillages spotted on the site.

Councillor Hodgson, speaking during a full council meeting, said: "I'm very disappointed the car park is closed during the evening.

"It's a very useful facility for the night-time economy - I do believe our officers have taken the easy option in closing it."

Councillor Jabba Riaz, cabinet member for a clean, green and safe city, said "issues with anti-social behaviour and boy racers" had led to the decision.

He also told the chamber the closure was backed by police and had resulted in "a significant reduction in litter and detritus", but said officers will review it next month.

"This is a trial which has been carried out, that will be reviewed," he said.

"It was never a barrier to the night-time economy, it was a decision in response to a particular problem."

Popular restaurant Saffrons Bistro, in New Street, have also revealed how the closure is making it difficult for customers and staff.

Nick Hunt, from Saffrons Bistro, said: "From a business perspective it's a pain.

"When customers ask us where the best place is to park we always used to say St Martin's Gate, and we can't now its shut.

"People ask for directions and they've got to park further away, we're scratching our heads what to say.

"I use it too and so do some of my staff, but now when they come into work they have to move it before 9pm, it does seem a bit daft."

Back in 2009 the council shut off the upper floors due to similar concerns, but kept the ground section open.

The car park is the largest council-owned site in Worcester and is so large it contains 980 lights.

It was built in 1988 and last underwent a revamp 12 years ago, when the council sunk £500,000 into modernising it.

The city council gets around £3 million a year from its parking charges with St Martin's Gate bringing in more than £500,000 a year to the coffers.