SHOULD Basingstoke bid to become a city?

That’s the question we are asking Gazette readers after the Government announced a competition that will see at least one town granted city status in 2012.

As part of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, local authorities across the country are being invited to apply for the rare chance for their town to gain city status.

Winning could mean added prestige, tourism and business opportunities for the successful town – so, should Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council decide to enter?

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said the granting of city status would create “a lasting legacy that will remain long after the festivities are over.”

The last civic honours competition was held in 2002 to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, and saw Preston, Stirling, Newport, Lisburn and Newry awarded city status.

This time, it is expected that only one town will get city status, but the final decision will be made by Her Majesty.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council leader Andrew Finney is keen to hear what local residents have to say.

He said: “I would be very interested to see what our communities think of the idea.

“If it is something that our residents and business community would like to see, then we would have to look at developing a position on that.

“But it is very early on in the process and at this stage the council does not have a view one way or the other.”

Local authorities have six months to prepare a bid, which will be considered by Government before recommendations are submitted to The Queen.

Bids will be judged on an area’s ability to welcome people and to provide and promote access to a wide variety of places, activities and events.

The winner, or winners, will be announced in the first half of 2012 – the Diamond Jubilee year.