“WE NEED your support to survive” – these are the words of the owner of a Basingstoke bar which has announced it is reducing its opening hours because of a lack of customers.

The Gabardine Bar, in London Street at the Top of Town, told its customers that it will no longer be open on Thursday evenings because “the footfall has dropped at the Top of Town”.

Its owners pleaded with people to support the independent bar, which opened in 2021, saying: “We are all independent in London Street and need your support to survive.”

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Fran O’Halloran, who owns the bar with her partner Kevin Nelson, told the Gazette that footfall at the Top of Town has dropped since January.

She blamed the taxi service in Basingstoke, explaining: “We need an Uber service in Basingstoke and not have just one taxi service. The council needs to address this, it’s appalling.”

Fran said customers are deterred from going out in the evening because they are unable to book a taxi to get home and know that waiting in a queue could take hours.

She added: “More investment is needed at the Top of Town. But if people don’t support us we can’t carry on.”

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She said the bar is relying heavily on private events such as baby showers and said the festive season was good, with lots of people booking parties.

However, she is worried that paving work that started this week outside the bar will have a detrimental effect on businesses at the Top of Town.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has been asked for a comment.