THE owner of a Basingstoke bar has criticised the borough council after its contractors cut down his bunting put up to celebrate the King’s Coronation.

Kevin Nelson, who owns the Gabardine Bar at the Top of Town, put up Union Flag bunting together with Elai restaurant opposite in celebration of the Coronation on May 6.

However, he was shocked to discover that the bunting had been pulled down on May 12, believing it to be an act of vandalism.

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The businessman looked at his CCTV camera footage to catch the culprits, only to find that those responsible were contractors employed by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Kevin said he is furious with the council for cutting down his bunting, which he was planning to leave up for the Festival of Transport held on Sunday.

He said: “I thought someone had done it deliberately as vandalism. Then I found out it was the contractors employed by the council to put up banners on the lampposts, but for what reason they cut our bunting down no one knows, because their truck would have fit underneath. It was disrespectful. If it was going to be an issue, they could have notified us.

“I’ve spent a lot of money on my bar, I’m fully independent so it’s all our own capital that’s gone into it, and I feel the council aren’t interested. They don’t come and see us and ask questions. I think they are lazy.”

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However, he said it is the principle rather than the cost of the bunting that has angered him, explaining: “Our town was dismal for the Coronation. The council should have put bunting up. There’s no care and attention.”

He blames the council for failing to support businesses at the Top of Town, adding: “I have campaigned with them to do festoon lights and create a café culture at the Top of Town. I keep asking for bicycle stands.

“I grew up in Basingstoke and it’s disgusting to what it was. It used to be so vibrant.”

Kevin is also annoyed that none of the £35,000 given out by the borough council in grants to celebrate the Coronation went to Top of Town businesses.

He added: “They offered grants but the paperwork involved was so hard work. I don’t think anyone in the Top of Town got any money. I applied but we didn’t get any.”

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has been asked for a comment.

UPDATE

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has now responded with the following comment:

"After investigating the complaint, we have identified that the contractor putting up the Basingstoke Festival lamppost banners damaged the low hanging bunting strung across the Top of the Town by the Gabardine Bar.

"It was an unfortunate accident and we have apologised that this has happened and agreed to pay for replacement bunting.

"To celebrate the King’s Coronation, we supported local community-facing events and activities. We gave community and voluntary organisations and businesses the chance to apply for grant funding to cover some of the costs of their celebrations.

"This scheme was open to businesses to apply for grants of up to £1,000 for activities that would bring together three or more businesses or organisations.

"Applications had to be able to demonstrate that funding received would be used to deliver activities to benefit the high street or town and village centres and not just the businesses applying to the scheme.

"We only received one valid application from a partnership between a community organisation and a business for Basingstoke town centre, with two other community groups’ applications funded for town centre activities.

"In addition to supporting local activities, the council's grounds maintenance team planted red, white and blue flowers in planters at the Top of the Town to create a visual display marking the King's Coronation."