INDEPENDENT traders in Basingstoke have raised concerns the retail element of the Leisure Park redevelopment will directly impact their business.

Part of the proposed development, to be delivered by NewRiver REIT Plc, is a 200,000 sq ft designer outlet village.

This is something traders in the Top of The Town believe will result in a loss of footfall in the town centre and a less of a focus on the rejuvenation of the area.

Top of The Town Association chair Alan Stone said: “There is evidence that out-of-town shopping malls have a direct impact on town centres.

“The worry is that the borough council are cosying up with the developer and not thinking about supporting the town centre.

“We want to see good leisure facilities in the borough but what we are worried about is once one of these luxury brands leave, what’s stopping a TK Maxx or M&S moving in?

“They could incorporate retail into the leisure side of things, but the focus should be on leisure.”

NewRiver’s £300 million proposed investment will include a modern £23 million replacement for the council-owned Aquadrome, also funded by NewRiver, with the existing Aquadrome remaining open during the construction phase until the replacement opens its doors.

Lucy Boazman, chief executive of the Basingstoke Together Business Improvement District, added: “The BID will always work in the best interests of the town centre and lobby key stakeholders to ensure any potential developments do not adversely affect the town’s ability to remain a thriving place in which to do business. In respect of the current proposals for the Leisure Park, Basingstoke Together raised our initial feedback from our BID businesses with the borough council last year. This included concerns raised by some of our businesses within the BID area in relation to an impact on footfall and spend for the town centre.

“We will continue to ensure any concerns raised by our business community are listened to and as plans develop, that the BID and our businesses are consulted with at each appropriate stage.”

“It is in all our interest to secure a vibrant future for Basingstoke town centre, encourage new businesses to open within the town and preserve the businesses already here who make Basingstoke a great place to visit, shop and work in.”

The deal between Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and NewRiver REIT Plc was officially signed last week.

Cabinet member for finance, service delivery and improvement, Cllr Robert Tate, said: “There is potential for some impact, but it is at a manageable level.

“But this prediction is based on the current population and we know that the borough population is set to grow, which will see more people using facilities in the area.

“With the development agreement signed we are looking to house much different retailers from what the town centre offers so I do not see a conflict in interest. What we hope is that people will visit both the town centre and leisure park and spend the day in the town.”

Basingstoke Labour Group welcomed the idea of the redevelopment, but said it does not want to see it at the detriment of the town centre.

Group leader Councillor Paul Harvey said: “We want a town centre first approach from the council. We should be praising places like Festival Place and the Top of The Town instead of creating competition.

“I have never seen the council so vehemently chase one developer to deliver a project. So it puts into question what the council are doing with the town centre.

“Out-of-town retail needs to be managed properly and not to a result which impacts what we already have.”

Cllr Tate added that once the planning application for the Leisure Park has been submitted there will be public consultation on what will shape the redevelopment.

Early concepts draw inspiration from leading global leisure destinations which provide innovative leisure experiences for families, high-adrenaline pursuits and state-of-the-art virtual reality e-sports.