A REJUVENATION project which promises to "promote a buzzing cafe culture" in order to "inject civic pride" back into the Top of Town is underway.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has developed a 12-month action plan setting out a series of enhancements to be made to Top of Town, while longer-term options for the town centre are explored.

The project, which was announced during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, July 16, has already seen the cleaning of pavements and the market square, the removal of vape stickers from bins and the cleaning of street furniture in the area.

Speaking at the meeting, cabinet member for major projects and regeneration Cllr Onnalee Cubitt announced the plans to "inject civic pride" back into the Top of Town.

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Top of Town Top of Town (Image: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council)

She said: "We are in the process of improving the shrub beds, we are going to pollard and lift the trees and we are going to install festoon lights.

"We are going to repaint planters which need refreshing and we have started to re-paint the railings around the town, despite the fact that the railings are Hampshire County Council's responsibility.

"We want to promote a buzzing cafe culture at the Top of Town, we want to encourage live music, all licensed premises can hold live music until 11 o'clock at night and any request after can be applied for at a cost of £21."

To support a thriving cafe culture in the Top of the Town, the council is making it easier for businesses to have outdoor seating areas by reducing the level of public liability insurance required. And working with venues in the Top of the Town, the council will also encourage more live music to enhance the arts and culture scene in the area.

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The council will also launch a new grant scheme to encourage business owners to improve and maintain their shop fronts and is exploring other initiatives to encourage shoppers to visit the Top of the Town.

Cllr Onnalee Cubitt said at the meeting: "This is a partnership and we need businesses to take pride in their immediate front of premises too. We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to graffiti, and we expect shop owners to clear up graffiti immediately.

"We will work with businesses to work out how best to address this scourge on our town.

"Basingstoke is a great place to live, we are a great place to invest a business in and we want to support local businesses, we want to encourage residents from near and far to spend time and money and enjoy themselves in this historic part of town.

"We are proud of our town, so we want to invest in our environment. We are determined to improve the look and the feel of the top of town. We are proud of the top of town, we want residents to throng here and for our businesses to thrive and grow."

For more information, visit basingstoke.gov.uk/towncentrefuture