BASINGSTOKE town centre has faced two bitter blows in recent days after a popular restaurant closed and another retail unit prepares to empty.

As previously reported, Gourmet Burger Kitchen closed last Friday (September 10) and Warren James have announced they will not be renewing their tenancy in Festival Place, as their closing down sale begins.

It will boost the number of empty units in Festival Place from 31 to 33 whilst at the Top of Town a further 19 units lay empty.

Basingstoke residents and traders have become increasingly concerned with the state of the high street and town centre in recent weeks and at The Gazette, we hear from people week in and week out who want to know what action is being taken to reinvigorate the high street.

This week we put the following questions to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, this is what they said.

Are the council struggling to fill these units and how long have they been empty for?

A spokesperson for BDBC said: “The council owns a very limited number of properties within the Top of the Town. The majority of units in this area are held by private owners so we do not have information on how long these units may have been empty for.”

 

Are there any plans to fill any of the spaces with new shops for locals and tourists to visit?

“As the majority of units are privately owned, the council has no control over which businesses or organisations take up a vacant unit from the private owners. However, the council promotes vacant units to businesses interested in the area via its regular business newsletters and events. At the current time there are no empty council-owned units in the Top of the Town.”

 

Do the council have a plan to attract an increase in footfall to the top of town?

“As part of our work to support the borough’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to work closely with our town centre partners at Festival Place, The Malls and businesses in the Top of the Town to develop the local offer and ensure the town centre is a top shopping and leisure destination that attracts people to the area. Empty units are having art and other installations added to their windows to improve the views around the area, we are also working with a number of local artists to improve street furniture with designs being added to subways and telecommunication cabinets. The Hampshire hogs project also has a number of installations within the town.

“Alongside our work with partners, we have launched a number of new initiatives to support retailers and encourage shoppers to return to the town centre. This includes the new Borough Basket Street Market which aims to give small local businesses the opportunity to raise their profile and sell their goods to a wider audience and a programme of events to attract more shoppers to the area and encourage more businesses to move to the Top of the Town.

“The council also funds free support and advice through IncuHive for anyone interested in starting a new business in the borough.

“To encourage new businesses to take up empty space in the town centre, we will also be launching a new shop front grant scheme shortly which will provide funding for new and existing retailers to improve or help refurbish their premises. This is in addition to a scheme earlier this year which provided grants for businesses to purchase outdoor equipment to allow them to increase their capacity.

“As well as our work alongside partners to attract new businesses to the town centre, we would encourage landlords to support new and creative uses for their units to ensure the town centre offers something for everyone. Following the Basingstoke Festival, we have been developing a series of free activities for families including  workshops, performances, buskers and activities for children and these have proved very popular so far.

“In addition, Love Basingstoke is hosting a series of family activities and events in the Top of the Town on each weekend throughout September.  The programme of activities is supported by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, the government’s Welcome Back Fund, Arts Council England, Without Walls, Hampshire Cultural Trust and Proteus Theatre Company.

“Other projects for the area are currently being developed.”

 

Has the pandemic impacted the amount of interest shown by retailers?

“The impact of the pandemic on retailer interest in units has not been reviewed, although it is clear that a number of sectors including retail and the traditional high street have been impacted by the pandemic.”

  

Would you be able to explain why the council has now imposed service charges on businesses and why BDBC have increased rent price after such a difficult year for the retail industry?

Service charges have been in place at the council owned property in question for many years and covers items such as maintenance and communal servicing.  Negotiations regarding rent and lease events (as part of usual estate management) are currently in progress between the council and some of its tenants, the outcome of which has yet to be concluded.   

 

Thousands of pounds has been spent on commissioning surveys to improve Basingstoke in recent years, what can the council show for this?

“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live our lives and as we plan for the borough’s economic recovery, it is important that look at how we can ensure our town centre is a top shopping and leisure destination that attracts people to the area and respond to the challenges town centres are facing.

“Recognising the importance of a sustainable town centre as a key part of the borough’s recovery, the development of an ambitious strategy for the town centre area is perfectly timed.

“We cannot do this alone so we are working closely with partners, businesses and local residents as well as a team of experts in looking at how places can be transformed, including Hemingway Design, Allies and Morrison and JLL to help us shape the strategy.

“Developing an ambitious long-term strategy for the next 30 years will help enhance the offer and experience, meet new and changing needs and maximise joint development and investment opportunities. The strategy will consider a number of factors such as town centre uses and transport and will look to address challenges such as accessibility, arrival experience, car parking and a lack of identity for the town centre. “

Festival Place were contacted for comment but they did not respond to our request.