All change at The Malls as revamp work begins

12:07pm Thursday 19th August 2010

By Richard Garfield

In charge of refurbishing the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council-owned centre is Basing View-based Wates Construction.

The £5.9million facelift will see the removal of the existing canopies and installation of a clear roof canopy that will protect the Basingstoke centre from bad weather, while allowing natural light and air to circulate. The whole shopping centre will also be repaved and new shop fronts installed.

Outside, along Alencon Link, a new landmark gateway entrance to The Malls will be created, along with paving and landscaping improvements – giving a more desirable first impression of the town when people arrive from the railway station.

As part of the works, a £300,000 programme of improvements, funded by developer contributions, will also be made to Alencon Link, including carriageway and footway improvements, a three-bus lay-by with raised kerbs and new bus shelters.

During the work, which is scheduled to be completed by next summer, all of the centre’s shops will remain open.

Wates Construction project manager Paul Nightingale, whose site office will be based at a unit formerly used by the Early Learning Centre, in Loddon Mall, close to The Anvil, said: “Working in partnership with the council to deliver the town centre improvements, our aim is not only to ensure Basingstoke has the high quality facilities it deserves, but that it is business as usual for shopping at The Malls. “Although, we have regional offices in Basingstoke, we will also have a site office manned throughout the day to enable people to speak to the project team should they have any queries.

“We will also be working closely with the council to ensure there are regular progress updates.” Councillor James Lewin, borough Cabinet member for finance and property, said: “This work will significantly improve the shopping centre and bring it into the 21st century.

“It will give our town a much more modern and pleasant place to shop, and it will also greatly improve the overall image of the area, thus progressing the council’s long-term vision for the borough.”

To view the plans for the scheme, or for updates and information on The Malls during the works, visit bas¬ ingstoke.gov.uk/go/themalls , or visit the Wates site office.