Specialist recruited to help Top of The Town (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Chas Bradfield appointed project manager to regenerate Basingstoke's Top of The Town area

9:00am Friday 22nd March 2013 in Local By Adam Richards

Chas Bradfield, whose job it is to bring new life to the Top of The Town

BASINGSTOKE’S Top of The Town area has been the subject of much debate – and now a specialist has been recruited to breathe new life into the area.

Chas Bradfield, 51, has been appointed Basingstoke Town Centre Project Manager by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

The father-of-two has been tasked with generating new investment into the Top of The Town and with helping to determine how cash already earmarked for its regeneration should be best spent.

This includes £180,000, approved by the council in February’s budget meeting, and £100,000 from the Government’s High Street Innovation Fund which resulted from the Mary Portas review into the UK’s declining high streets.

Mr Bradfield has started meeting with representatives of companies and shops in the Top of The Town to get their views on what the area needs.

He will also oversee projects to improve the look of the Top of The Town, such as the project to refurbish seating in Market Square, and Hampshire County Council’s proposal for new paving in the area.

Councillor Ranil Jayawardena, deputy leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, who has been spearheading the Top of The Town regeneration project, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Chas to the team and know that his focus on improving the vitality of the town will be welcomed.”

“Basingstoke is a successful and strong town, but we cannot take this success for granted.”