Sports bar could open in Basingstoke's Top of Town

A licensing application was submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on September 20 for the unit in London Street to be converted into 'The Post Box Sports Bar'.

The application seeks permission for regulated entertainment from 9am to 12am from Sunday to Wednesday and 9am to 2am from Thursday to Saturday.

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The former Post Office building It also proposes the sale of alcohol from 9am to 11.30pm from Sunday to Wednesday and 9am to 1.30am on Thursday to Saturday.

Late-night refreshment, from 11pm to 12pm Sunday to Wednesday and 11pm to 2am Thursday to Saturday, are also being considered, in addition to the extension of hours to 'remain open for national and international sporting and other events'.

The bar will also hold live music and dance performances in addition to plays, indoor sporting events, films and more.

The Post Office closed its doors in April 2019 to the dismay of residents, relocating its services to the WHSmith store in The Malls. 

Since its closure, the building has remained empty and was put up for sale in August 2021 for £1.75million. 

The location was marketed as a 'unique redevelopment opportunity in the heart of Basingstoke' with 11,540 square feet of space, and a post office section on the ground floor with office areas above. 

The plans, which are currently under consideration by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, would see the empty unit in the Top of Town transformed.

It comes following the closure of several other Top of Town venues earlier this year including the Rhu Bar and Vaultz Bar and Restaurant. 

The Rhu Bar shut its doors in May after 25 years of serving customers, after the owners decided to take early retirement due to a lack of footfall and trade.

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The former Post Office building (Image: Newsquest) Vaultz Bar and Restaurant, in the former Lloyds Bank unit, closed permanently in July after eight months due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. 

Residents have called for the rejuvenation of the Top of Town, with the borough council announcing an action plan in early July to encourage shoppers to visit the area.

The project 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.

The application for the sports bar can be viewed on Basingstoke and Deane's licensing portal by searching reference number: 24/01196/PREMN.