Bosses have moved to address safety fears over the Grosvenor car park after it was revealed that a lump of concrete has fallen off the building.

A piece of concrete came off the top of the multi-storey - which adjoins the Grosvenor Shopping Centre - and landed on the ramp which leads into the building from Churchill Way.

The incident happened overnight on June 20, when the car park was closed.

Cheshire East Council, which owns and maintains the building, pictured, has since repaired the hole. A spokesman said the council described the incident as a “minor event” and said no risk was posed to the public.

But it has prompted fears among traders.

Phil Slack used to run his business Market Hardware in the Grosvenor’s indoor market, underneath the car park.

He has since moved his business to Chestergate and renamed it Domus.

Phil said: “I saw the hole.

“The car park is concrete and won’t last forever.

“The council needs to do something about it.”

Stephen Broadhead, 54, of Hollands Place, the prospective Liberal Democrat candidate for the council’s Hurdsfield ward, echoed the concerns.

He said: “This is a health and safety issue.

“If lumps of concrete are falling off, it could be fatal.”

The car park, built around 40 years ago, has spaces for more than 300 cars and is open from Monday to Saturday between 7.30am and 7.15pm.

A Cheshire East spokesman said the council is monitoring the building.

He said: “Stress gauges have been in place for a number of years which are capable of detecting the slightest movement.

“The gauges are checked several times every month and no movement has been detected. Overnight on June 20 a small piece of concrete fell on the exit ramp.

“Our contractors carried out a small repair at a cost of £50. This was a very minor event which posed no risk to the public.”

The Grosvenor Shopping Centre is owned by Eskmuir. Ed Kennedy, manager, said: “The car park is owned and maintained by Cheshire East Council.

“The safety of our shoppers is paramount and we continue to liaise with the Council in this respect.”