Leeds Car Park Hailed As The Most Cheerful In Britain

[Raistlin]

A car park has been hailed as the "most cheerful in Britain" for cheering up commuters on their way to work thanks to jokes and freebies.

Westgate car park in Leeds has been hailed as "the most friendly in Britain"

The managers of Westgate car park on Castle Street in Leeds, West Yorks, decorate its stairwells with posters displaying jokes for commuters to enjoy as they make their way to the office.

The car park also offers the chance to win prizes with regular competitions for free car parking - and the cheerful ticket-man hands out lollipops to parkers.

Toby Morton, 39, Director of Yorparks, which manages the car park, said: 'Car parks are something in life that usually wind people up, and commuters are usually so glum, especially on a Monday morning.

'So this was something I hoped would brighten up their days.

'About three years ago I decided to pin some quotes on the wall - famous quotes from all sorts of different people.

'We got a really good response in our suggestion box about them, so recently when I ran out of quotes I moved on to brainteasers, and then to jokes.'

He added: 'They have to be short and snappy, because people don't have all day to read them. I try and change them every month or so.

'One of the most popular things we've done is offer two months' free parking for people who solve the brainteasers.

'I make sure that everyone who works at the car park is friendly and helpful.'

The ticket man gives out sweets and chats with commuters, he even dresses up as Santa at Christmas.

Commuter Sam Clark, 48, of Leeds, said: 'I wouldn't use any other car park in the city, this has to be the most cheerful in Britain.

'It makes my day to read the jokes pinned up on the wall. They change them regularly.

'There's a really good customer service, you can get a good banter with the ticket-man you pay as you leave, he even gives out sweets.'

Richard Laycock, 50, of Bradford, said: 'I often find myself arriving at work and telling the jokes I've read at the car park - hopefully it's encouraged other people to park there too.'

Here is a selection of the jokes at Westgate car park:

'I went to a karaoke bar last night that didn't play any Seventies music, At first I was afraid. Oh, I was petrified.'

'I went to a restaurant that serves breakfast at any time. So I ordered French toast during the Renaissance.'

'I needed a password eight characters long, so I picked Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.'