AN EMPLOYEE at Templars Square who saved the shopping centre £13,000 a year in costs for maintaining car park machinery, has won an award.

Barry Burnham works for Westgrove Group, which provides cleaning and security staff for UK shopping centres, including the one in Cowley.

The committed worker dedicated hours to understanding the intricate workings of the machinery in the car parks linked to the Templars Square shopping centre.

These include Castle Car Park, Crowell Road and Knights Car Park, Hockmore Street, which both have fully automated parking systems.

Thanks to Mr Burnham’s efforts, the shopping centre no longer needs to pay either an annual servicing contract or additional engineering charges – saving it £13,000 a year.

The Oxford man also manages the tenants’ parking scheme and is currently passing on his knowledge to the rest of his team.

Mr Burnham was presented with the award last month at a ceremony for Westgrove staff.

The awards celebrate everything from acts of bravery and saving lives to excellent service in more than 70 shopping centres across the country.

Claire McKinley Smith, managing director of The Westgrove Group, said: “Our people are what make us special.

“From saving lives and reuniting lost children to preventing shoplifters and cleaning up after storm damage, our annual Reward and Recognition Award Ceremony is all about highlighting some of the incredible things our people do.”

The awards ceremony included talks from shopping centre security expert, Paul Keeling, owner of The Senate Group, which advises the UK government and companies on security and crisis management, and Alex Staniforth, Westgrove’s brand ambassador and record-breaking endurance adventurer, who has raised more than £25,000 for The Young Minds Trust.

Templars Square Shopping Centre, is set to is set to be subject to a £60m revamp by developer NewRiver following the granting of planning permission last year.