IT MAY have been a tough year for retail, with Basingstoke losing many shops and businesses throughout 2022.

However, the town has also welcomed various new businesses to the high streets and shopping centres.

Here we take a look at some of the new shops that have opened in Basingstoke in 2022.

Safari Sunrise in Hackwood Road

This new deli and barbecue meat shop opened in Basingstoke in March.

Safari Sunrise opened in Hackwood Road after the new owners spent four months renovating the premises, which was previously occupied by a fancy dress shop.

Andy De Beer, who took over the unit next to War Memorial Park and who used to run a biltong kiosk in Festival Place, said he was looking forward to welcoming new customers.

Read more here. 

Farmfoods in Winklebury

Frozen food specialists Farmfoods opened a new store in Winklebury in May.

The new Farmfoods store took over the former Robinson’s Equestrian site in Winklebury Way.

A spokesperson from Farmfoods said: "I'm delighted to hear that the news of Farmfoods opening in Basingstoke has been well received amongst the local community.”

Scooperb in Wote Street

Crowds gathered for the opening of a new ice cream shop in Basingstoke town centre in August.

Scooperb opened its doors to customers on Saturday, August 13, in Wote Street, offering two scoops for the price of one and entertaining the crowds with music by Basingstoke Community Radio.

The franchise has been opened by husband and wife team Sarath Jonnakuti and Kanuka Mary Chava, who decided they wanted to start their own business.

The new ice cream shop offers a range of different flavours inspired by South Asia.

Read more here. 

Football Shirts For Charity in Festival Place

This new shop opened in Festival Place in October selling new, retro and vintage football shirts to raise money for cancer charities.

Football Shirts For Charity offers new and pre-loved football shirts from its three-month pop-up shop which opened on October 10 on the upper level of the shopping centre.

The shop was the brainchild of football fans and colleagues Jayme Sporton and Tania Harding who decided to do something to raise money for causes close to their hearts.

The pair have both been affected by cancer in people very close to them and saw an opportunity to do something to make a difference by selling football shirts to raise money for the Bobby Moore Fund and Cancer Research UK.

The shirts have been donated by people from around the world, from international teams to local non-league sides, and Festival Place customers are also encouraged to drop off pre-loved kit that can be resold in the shop.

All profits are donated to the two cancer charities.

Read more here. 

Miniso in Festival Place

Homeware retailer Miniso welcomed customers for the first time into its new Festival Place store in December.

Miniso, which opened in the unit previously occupied by Jack Wills, offers a range of high-quality, affordable products including toys, tech, stationery, homeware, food and beauty, as well as products from partnerships with brands including Disney, Toy Story, Minions and We Bare Bears.

Saad Usman, chief operating officer at Miniso UK, said: “We're delighted to announce the launch of our store at Festival Place. We believe that the opening of this store, our first in Hampshire, is the perfect place for us to continue our expansion in the UK.”

Read more here.