A BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council cabinet member has been accused of being ‘out of touch with reality’ after describing the Top of Town as “vibrant”.

The Gazette previously reported that a six-year programme to improve the area, which saw £280,000 of funds spent there, came to an end this year and we wanted to find out if businesses thought it had made a difference.

The resounding response was that it had not, however, when asked to comment, Councillor Rebecca Bean, cabinet member for borough development and improvement, said the Top of Town was “vibrant” and “a great place to shop, work, live, dine and play”.

The article generated numerous responses, with residents calling for answers as to where the money was spent, and others criticising Cllr Bean for her comments.

Eleanor Woolf said: “God help us if this is someone’s idea of vibrant.”

Simon Preedy added: “After many years of BDBC trying, it’s still not working. Loving the comments from Cllr Rebecca Bean; spouting the PR provided but in denial it seems. Another BDBC cabinet member with rose-coloured spectacles.”

While Pauline Mayer wrote a letter to the Gazette saying: “The supposed regeneration of this special area of the town seems to be sadly lacking. How Councillor Rebecca Bean can declare the area to be vibrant is a mystery to me and I suspect many others. Has she really taken a good look lately?”

The Gazette has since asked the council for a break-down to show how the £280,000 was spent, and we now have these figures.

  • £81,200 was spent on physical improvements such as changing street furniture and bins, introducing and maintaining planters, improvements to car parking and “refreshing alleyways and railings”.
  • £70,000 was spent supporting businesses through grants to improve their shop fronts, upgrade their internal fit outs or mentoring.
  • £56,000 was spent on what the council refers to as “consultancy” which included “developing the Top of Town concept masterplan, transport planning, smart technology opportunities and feasibility work to support local businesses in setting up the Business Improvement District”.
  • £43,400 was spent on delivering events in the Top of Town, including marketing.
  • £11,200 was used for a ‘market operator’ to help improve the range of stalls available at the twice weekly market.
  • £7,000 was spent on ‘footfall counters’ to monitor the number of people in the area for three years.
  • £7,000 was spent on marketing activities including banners and a new website for the area.
  • £4,200 was used on miscellaneous including utilities, planning, application fees or vacancy audits.

Cllr Bean said the funds, £100,000 of which was awarded from the Government’s High Street Innovation Fund, were aimed at making “physical improvements and increase the number of visits through initiatives and events”.

She was asked to respond to comments about her being ‘out of touch with reality’, and said: “The programme was reviewed annually at the Town Centre summit that brought businesses and partners together each year to look at what was working well and what else could be done the following year. It was also reviewed internally through reports to Cabinet and the Economic, Planning and Housing committee.

“Nationally and locally things have changed since 2013, with retailers facing increasing challenges including pressure from online competitors and reduced consumer spending. Across the country, about 16 shops are closing every day as retailers restructure their businesses and more shopping moves online.

“Despite these pressures, there is much to be positive about. Vacancy rates in the town centre are lower than the national average and the area had a deep clean in April, thanks to joint working with Basingstoke Together Business Improvement District and a government funding boost of £30,000.

“As a council we own less than five per cent of units in the town, and all council-owned units are let. Although we are not able to set private rents or to set business rates, we are committed to supporting our local businesses in the historic heart of Basingstoke. Our aim remains ensuring that Basingstoke stays a destination of choice and a strong partnership approach will be needed moving forward.

“We will continue to work with local businesses and partners including Safer North Hampshire and the BID to tackle issues such as anti-social behaviour through identifying specific concerns so that we can focus on providing the appropriate support and solutions.

“Although the Town Centre Programme has ended, our work to improve the area continues and our long-term strategy to ensure the town centre continues to respond to consumer trends and expectations is just beginning.

“I would encourage residents to support their local high street and the town centre businesses which are the lifeblood of our local economy and community.”