THE AA has said it has ‘no plans’ to leave Basingstoke, amidst suggestion that the future of its Basing View head office may be at risk.

Jack Cousens, spokesman for the AA, told the Gazette: “We currently have no plans to move from Basingstoke”, citing “investment” in its building, Fanum House, which has stood as a crucial landmark in the town’s business district since it opened in 1970.

It comes after sources suggested that the motoring company planned to relocate from Basingstoke as part of a raft of post-pandemic changes to office working.

Mr Cousens continued: “We regularly review all our properties to ensure they reflect employees’ needs, and recently asked for feedback from all our teams about post pandemic ways of working.

“In response to their feedback, and with the support of our new owners and leadership team, we are investing in Fanum House to reflect their future work preferences. This includes investing in our office space to make it more collaborative and also in our onsite catering.

“We’re very much looking forward to welcoming more of our colleagues back to the office.

“Any changes we were to make would be shared with them ahead of anyone else.”

This is not the first time the company’s future in the town has been the subject of uncertainty. In a particularly high-profile instance in 2014, speculation was rife that the company planned to quit the town as part of a “property portfolio review”, leading to the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce speaking out about its crucial role.

Meanwhile, Basingstoke council has outlined its vision for the Basing View area, which it owns, as “an ideal location” for major businesses, after welcoming three new firms earlier this month.

In an interview with The Gazette, leader of the council Ken Rhatigan said: “What I can say is we are engaging with businesses that could bring hundreds of jobs to Basingstoke.

“We have an awful lot to offer London-based businesses here. We have a really educated workforce that can fit and adapt, plus good accommodation and housing and we are five minutes from the countryside.”

A council spokesperson said that the borough council is not aware of plans for the AA to relocate.