National Car Parks
United Kingdom car park operator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
National Car Parks (NCP) is a British car park operator. Founded in 1931, it manages off-street car parks in towns and cities, including sites at airports, hospitals and National Rail stations. In March 2026 it entered voluntary administration.
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Car parking |
| Founded | 3 January 1931 |
| Founder | Colonel Frederick Lucas |
| Headquarters | London, England |
Number of locations | 340 (March 2026) |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Revenue | £187 million (2023) |
| £11 million (2023) | |
Number of employees | 682 (2026) |
| Parent | Park24 Development Bank of Japan |
| Website | ncp |
History
NCP was incorporated in 1931 and is commonly traced to its founder, Colonel Frederick Lucas.[1] It expanded after being acquired in 1959 by Central Car Parks, a business formed by Ronald Hobson and Donald Gosling, who developed car parks on vacant sites in Central London after World War II.[1]
In 1993 NCP chief executive Gordon Layton was acquitted in an Old Bailey trial following allegations of industrial espionage against rival company Europarks.[2]
In 1998 NCP was sold to the US company Cendant for £801 million.[3] In 2005 it was acquired by 3i for £555 million.[4] In 2007, 3i sold NCP's off-street parking business to a fund managed by Macquarie Group for £790 million.[5] In 2017 Macquarie sold NCP to a consortium of Park24 and the Development Bank of Japan.[6]
Part of an NCP-operated multi-storey car park in Nottingham collapsed on 19 August 2017, leaving vehicles hanging over the edge of the building; no injuries were reported.[7][8]
In March 2026 NCP entered voluntary administration with PwC appointed as administrator while the business continued to trade.[9][1] By May 2026 29 sites had closed.[10]
Operations
NCP operates off-street car parks across the United Kingdom, including locations in town and city centres and at major transport hubs.[1][11]
NCP previously operated a portfolio of Transport for London station car parks; the contract was awarded to Saba with effect from January 2023.[12][13]
In November 2005 NCP began operating bus routes 33 and 419 through its NCP Challenger subsidiary under contract to Transport for London.[14] It later operated routes 272, 283, 440 and E11.[15][16]
