IT MAY have been a tough year for retail, with Basingstoke losing many shops and businesses throughout 2023.
However, the town has also welcomed various new businesses to the high street and shopping centres.
Here we take a look at some of the new shops and restaurants that have opened in Basingstoke in 2023.
Fig and Fox
Owners Helen Mitchell, 30, and her husband James, 34, from East Wellow, first opened Fig and Fox in Romsey in October 2022.
Now, the couple have expanded to open their new pop-up shop in Festival Place, welcoming their first customers on Friday, September 15.
Rosie Rose
Rosie Rose, a distinctive new lifestyle shop, says it has every item carefully selected to create an eclectic collection of one-of-a-kind pieces sourced from around the world.
From hand-crafted mango wood tables and vintage velvet armchairs to luxurious knitwear, scented candles and stylish coffee table books, Rosie Rose says it is a treasure trove of beautifully made products.
The shop opened in Festival Place on Saturday, September 16.
Laura Fisher
Laura Fisher welcomed customers into her new shop at Viables Craft Centre on Saturday, September 30 after growing her business over the last four years.
The talented young illustrator first opened a shop in Viables in 2019 specialising in bespoke artwork, top-quality homeware and design services.
In 2023, aged just 24, she launched a bigger premises at the craft centre which will allow her to welcome more people into the shop and studio.
Caker Street
Caker Street opened in Church Street, at the Top of Town, on April 1. It had hoped to open in November 2022 but was set back by problems with sourcing enough stock and equipment, and then recruitment issues.
Caker Street is a chain, with the Basingstoke store becoming the fourth Caker Street in the UK.
It sells an extensive sweet menu, with crepes, waffles, milkshakes, sundaes, cheesecake and cake slices.
Mono Pizza
Timofei and Veronica Dragan, the husband and wife team behind Mono Pizza, are based in Brookvale near Basingstoke town centre, and the couple ensures each pizza is crafted with love and authenticity.
Taught how to make pizzas in London after having lived in Italy, business owner and chef Timofei was inspired to bring his skillset to Basingstoke residents.
Vaultz Bar and Restaurant
The three-floor restaurant which underwent a major refurbishment can seat 200 people and offers modern, European cuisine.
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