Chris Gregory’s three year stint as Andover’s town centre manager is set to come to an end

The consultant’s contract, between his Midlands-based company, Heartflood, and Test Valley Borough Council, will expire at the end of this month.

He is replaced by Andover-based Gemma Thompson, who has assisted Mr Gregory in his role for the past 18 months.

Mr Gregory said: “Heartflood is proud to have been involved in the development of the Andover Town Centre Partnership over the past three years and would like to thank all individuals and organisations involved for their support.

“We also wish the town all the very best in the forthcoming consideration of a Business Improvement District and are very interested in the possibility of submitting a proposal to support this process, so continuing our longstanding involvement in the town.”

Mr Gregory’s £28,000-a-year contract, jointly funded between Andover Town Council, Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council, initially began in May 2014.

Since taking the contract three years ago, Mr Gregory has overseen the growth of Andover’s Town Centre Partnership - a group of businesses which hold regular meetings on ways they can improve the town.

Andover has also twice featured as a finalist in the Great British High Street Awards.

However the town has also undergone a difficult three years during Mr Gregory’s stint as town centre manager.

As previously reported by the Advertiser, figures recorded by Test Valley Borough Council revealed winter footfall in the town has dropped by nearly a third since 2013.

The town has also seen the loss of a number of retailers, including the likes of Argos, while Burton and F.Hinds are set to leave in the coming weeks.

However Andover town centre has also been boosted by successful newcomers in Mr Gregory’s three years, including Pandora and most recently Coffee #1.

Asked to list his successes over the three years, Mr Gregory included the introduction of an annual town tidy day as well as the design and distribution of a series of promotional campaigns.

He also listed the creation of a new town centre map, the establishment of a regular business newsletter and the development of annual events such as A-Fest and Festival of Motoring.

Praising his efforts, TVBC’s economic development and tourism portfolio holder, councillor David Drew, said: “Having been involved right from the start of the appointment of Chris Gregory I would add my thanks for the excellent work he has done over the past three years.”

Andover Town Council’s Len Gates added: “I’d like to thank Chris Gregory for putting in a lot of hard work to create and support the Andover Town Centre Partnership.

“Since he was appointed, he has established a strong partnership between town centre businesses and has organised successful events such as the Festival of Motoring, A-Fest and the Town Tidy Day.”

Replacement Gemma Thomson has been given the role of town centre manager on a six month temporary contract, which officially started on Monday 15 May.

The 40-year-old mother of two, who was born in Andover, has been supporting Mr Gregory in his role for the past 18 months.

She said: “I am delighted to be Andover’s new Town Centre Manager and look forward to working closely with all the town centre businesses and carrying on the Town Centre Partnerships good work.”