INCREASED business rates, the threat of a new retail outlet and changes in shopping habits have all been blamed as several shops prepare to quit Basingstoke – but millions could soon be spent to help save the town centre. 

This month retailers Kitchen Kapers, G & E Antonelli Jewellers and Cornish Kitchen announced they would be leaving Basingstoke, following collectively more than 75 years of trading in the town.

They join other businesses such as Halifax, BHS and Festival Plaice Fish & Chips which have all recently shut.

But Festival Place centre director Steven Connolly believes investment from its new owners, AEW Europe, into the retail shopping centre could help other parts of the town such as The Malls and the Top of The Town.

“AEW Europe are going to spend multi-millions of pounds to strengthen Festival Place and this will naturally bleed out to the surrounding area and the Top of The Town,” Mr Connolly said.

“We will be working very much in partnership with local organisations and shops to strengthen their positions.

“Various businesses go through cycles but independent businesses can thrive and survive – look at Church Street Models.

“Basingstoke works best when it works together and we find that having designer names trading alongside independent shops is something that makes a town the size of Basingstoke so unique.”

The investment will include the refurbishment of the area of Festival Place that joins onto The Malls, to create a greater continuity in appearance between the two shopping centres.

However, this has resulted in some businesses losing out. Cornish Kitchen was told by Festival Place directors that it is no longer allowed to trade in St John’s Walk because of the refurbishment works, and has to leave by May 31.

Festival Place said it is in talks to relocate the food outlet to another site within the retail space.

Another concern for the future of Basingstoke town centre is Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s (BDBC) proposed plans to expand and create a new designer shopping outlet at the leisure
park.

Last week the Gazette told of the angry backlash after BDBC agreed to work with NewRiver Retail on the £200million project, with concerns that it would kill off trade in the town centre.

But BDBC’s deputy leader, with responsibility for the town centre, Councillor Terri Reid, said the council was committed to making the centre “a thriving retail and leisure destination”.

“The concept for the leisure park, including a niche designer outlet centre, is at a very early stage,” Cllr Reid said.

“With proposals for it to include brands that would complement rather than compete with those in the town centre, it would be a very different type of shopping experience.”

Despite promising to work with local businesses to ensure their future trading, Wote Street business Kitchen Kaper’s owner Gary Gordon feels BDBC has not done enough to support businesses in the Top of The Town.

Joining Kitchen Kapers in closing this month is G & E Antonelli Jewellers, in Church Street, after 31 years in the town.

Mr Gordon said: “Shopping has changed so much over the last 20 years – especially in Basingstoke where areas such as Top of The Town have to compete with shops on the edge of town and out of town.

“These areas don’t have to pay the increased business rates like us, so inevitably shops such as ours are under even more pressure.

“We’re running harder and faster but putting fewer sales in the tills.

“Top of The Town businesses don’t get the support that they should from BDBC.”

But progress is being made.

Last year, Basingstoke Together – an organisation that aims to allow businesses to vote on how changes to the area are made - voted to introduce a Business Improvement District, an initiative that helps protect local business.

Basingstoke Together chief executive Karen Wild said: “Basingstoke town centre faces similar pressures of increased competition and the impact of
changes in shopper habits and lifestyle as those being experienced by many towns and cities across the country.

“The town centre vacancy rate is currently below the national average, but it is important that the long term vitality of the town centre continues to be the priority for all key stakeholders.”