On This Day

Thursday 11th May 1961

59 years ago

The Autostacker, an automated multi-storey car park situated above a car showroom, workshop and petrol station in Woolwich, south-east London, was officially opened by Princess Margaret. The Autostacker was to be one of the wonders of the world. At the touch of a button a car would be magically carried away to its parking bay with no help from the driver. It was to hold 256 cars and with the introduction of parking meters in sixteen streets, would solve all parking problems for years to come in Woolwich. The ground floor comprised a Car showrooms and workshops plus a petrol station on the forecourt. Parking was remotely controlled from a kiosk on the ground floor. The Car driver would park his vehicle on a conveyor in front of one of four lifts and then leave it. On paying his parking fee the driver would be given a yale type key which would activate the return of his vehicle. It never worked properly and even the demonstration vehicle got stuck at the opening ceremony and had to be manhandled in. It was demolished in 1962 at a cost of £60,000.