THE borough council is spending almost £200,000 on expert advice on how to improve the town centre.

As previously reported, the long-term future of Basingstoke town centre is being considered by the borough council which has enlisted the help of a team of experts, at a cost of £187,733.

Hemingway Design, Allies and Morrison and JLL have been appointed by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to develop a vision for the town centre area over the next six months.

They are set to carry out a study which will include engagement with residents, businesses, and other groups to help understand views about the town centre, shopping habits and what people would like to see improved.

The borough council previously spent £280,000 on a six-year programme to improve the Top of Town area of Basingstoke, which many traders in the area said made “no difference”.

Now, the council is investing more funds in an attempt to create a “sustainable town centre”.

The council said it has “delivered millions of pounds of government support, including business rates relief and other payments” to businesses during the pandemic.

It has also supported businesses to adapt and sell their goods online through the launch of a new online marketplace, The Borough Basket, which is set to generate income for the council through commission on sales and transaction fees.

The council said: “A sustainable town centre will be a key part of the borough’s economic recovery from the pandemic and the council has appointed a team of experts in looking at how places can be transformed.”

It added: “The council recognises the issues facing Basingstoke town centre, such as changing consumer trends and town centre uses, and it is important a new town centre strategy is created to form a framework that will identify how the town centre should adapt as part of the borough’s economic recovery to ensure it has something for everyone for years to come and help shape future investment into the area.

“To do this, it is important for the council to get specialist advice from experts in the field to ensure the success of the project and a specialist team has been appointed following public tender exercise.”

HemingwayDesign, which the council said has a track record of improving town centres, will produce a long-term vision for Basingstoke town centre based on the results of the current public survey, stakeholder engagement and ‘societal directions of travel’.

The borough council said it receives £16.3 million in income to help fund services through rents received from property, which is double the income it receives for council tax.

It appointed property specialists JLL in September 2020 to “ensure the council’s property portfolio continues to provide the best return for its money and how the use of the council’s property portfolio can be used to stimulate economic recovery”.

WSP will be carrying out work to assist the council in developing a car parking strategy.

The council said: “The important work carried out by specialists in these fields will help the council to develop and implement a long-term holistic approach for the town centre that responds to customer expectations, ensures our town centre continues to be sustainable for years to come and ensures the council can provide support where it is most needed and maximise joint development and investment opportunities with partners.”