The Street Bakeshop success causes parking problems

The Street Bakeshop in the heart of Old Basing has garnered praise for its delightful pastries and bread since its opening in August 2020. It has picked up awards and great reviews, as everything is made on site. 

It recently celebrated its third anniversary, but the bakery's rapid growth has inadvertently led to a string of problems that have left some residents voicing their concerns.

The business, initially approved as a bakery, has expanded its operations beyond what some people anticipated.

READ MORE: The Street Bakeshop celebrates three years in business

As a result, one of the main problems plaguing the community is the lack of parking.

According to Mike Sant, who lives near the business, customers of the bakery regularly block driveways and impede visibility on the narrow road.

“To be fair to him, the owner has put up signs for people to not park close to people’s drives,” Captain Sant said.

“Unfortunately, not one for me as I live a little bit further away from the shop. But the ones who live around the shop are the ones who suffer every day." 

He said the problem has led to some residents, especially those with disabilities, fearing leaving their houses, and carers and nurses not being able to park near their patients. 

However, bakery owner Tim Goodwin said that it's just part of village life - and that a bakery has operated in the village for 170 years. 

He said they have put in a range of measures to mitigate the situation. 

He said: “We love being stewards of a bakery which has been making bread for the community for 170 years and value our neighbours and the community we are a part of.

"We will always do what we can to reduce our impact on The Street while accepting that we are in an old English village, and the challenges and privileges that come with that.”

Cars parked in front of a drive way on The Street. (Image: Contributed)

However, residents say it is not just them who are growing increasingly frustrated with the situation. Lynne Golding, another resident, said that some HGV drivers to the bakery had been “incredibly rude” when asked to move.

She said: “I think they too are frustrated as there is nowhere to park. Mondays are the only peaceful day - when the bakery is closed.”

The residents said the situation is worst during peak times, which can make The Street almost impassable for emergency vehicles.

In a village with no pavements and numerous parked cars, pedestrians, including those with mobility devices and young children, are forced to walk in the middle of the road, further posing a significant safety risk.

The traffic on The Street with cars parked on both sides and an HGV going to the bakery. (Image: Contributed)

The residents have said they have contacted the parish council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council about the concerns, but they have not been happy with the responses. 

The borough council said that as long as the premises continue to be used as a bakery, there is no breach of planning control, while Hampshire County Council pointed out that there are currently no on-street parking restrictions in the immediate vicinity of The Street, leaving enforcement of obstructions up to the police.

Mr Goodwin, the owner of The Street Bakeshop, said the delivery vehicles are of a similar size to those used by other hospitality establishments across the country.

He said they have taken measures to address the parking issues, including putting up signs to remind customers to park considerately.

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He said: “We, along with our neighbours, have the amazing privilege of being in an old village. With that privilege comes the challenge that old, character-filled, villages face: narrow lanes, limited parking and trying to cope with traffic that these villages were not initially designed for.

“The Street is not immune to those challenges; indeed just down the road from the bakery, by the railway bridge, there are vehicles parked on both sides of the road, day and night, restricting access significantly.

"A recent visit to bakeries in Cornwall, the Cotswolds and the Lake District hit home that this challenge exists all across the country. However, without these characters, and the thriving little businesses within them, their charm would be lost and their appeal would dissipate."

However, there may be some hope on the horizon as he said there were plans to open a second bakery location, which could potentially reduce activity at the current site.

He said: "The opening date is planned for early 2024. We cannot confirm the location just yet but can confirm it is not within Basingstoke.

"The opening of our second Street Bakeshop will not create more activity at our existing bakery and may well reduce it. We are in several discussions, however, regarding a third site that will reduce activity at The Street, also planned for 2024."