A £1.8 MILLION facelift of a Gwent car park once dubbed the ugliest building in the UK is to be completed in March - three months after its original completion date.

The multi-storey car park in Ebbw Vale shut last January and was due to remain closed until November last year. But renovation work was delayed and it is now scheduled to open in March at a cost of £1,899,000.

The car park is undergoing external improvements, and there will be a new lift, staircase and improved lighting.

A Blaenau Gwent county borough council spokeswoman said: "The new look will create a more pleasant environment for users.

"On the ground floor will be priority disabled parking for eight vehicles and modern security measures will be installed, with decisions on CCTV camera specifications and positioning currently being considered."

The work is being carried out in a partnership between the Welsh Development Agency, Blaenau Gwent council and Sterling Developments.

A council spokeswoman said: "Building work was originally due for completion in November 2005, but due to unchartered service cables and increased essential works, the refurbishment is due for completion in March 2006."

The closure - especially the lowering of a barrier to James Street which restricted access for drivers between 11am and 5pm - had a major impact on trade in the town, and as a result the Ebbw Vale Business Forum was formed.

But the forum says more people are now visiting the town since a move to lift the James Street barrier.

Shoppers are now able to drive through or park in town all day.

Jeff Jones, secretary, said: "Since the barrier was lifted the town is no longer dead. People are able to park in the town and shop all day. "Trade is on the up".

* Members of the business community are invited to attend a meeting at 5.45pm on January 26 in the Ex-Servicemen's Club to give feedback on the move.