Think Andover Town Centre doesn’t have enough shops? Too much street furniture? Love the independent shops? Here’s your chance to tell the councils and town centre team.
Hampshire County Council, Test Valley Borough Council, Andover Town Council, Heartflood Ltd and national membership organisation and registered charity Towns Alive are currently undertaking a review of town centre use in Andover.
The following short survey allows both town centre users and non users to provide their ratings and views on various aspects of Andover. By asking both groups they hope to build up a detailed picture of the town.
To take the survey click here.
If you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact Mike King, Towns Alive Senior Consultant on 07818 068982 or email on mike.king@towns.org.uk
Put the war memorial back in the centre firstly . Secondly lower the rent on shop fill them with companies any that want to come stop being fussy who your allow . I work in Hungerford and live in Andover and they have a better selection for than us .I was born in Andover and remember decent things to do when I was growing up put a out door pool back give the kids a park like Newbury or Aldershot .come on Andover get with the times.
I really think andover would benefit from a couple of big brand stores (ie bhs, mothercare). Also specialist restaurants such as Italian or Mexican. I am bored of pub food.
I would love to see a permanant indoor market or covered market up the high street as they have in Bath. It would be great to see monsoon. Acsessorise, and shops like fat face etc. it would also be a wonderful idea to fill an empty shop with local crafts people showing and selling their goods. I would also like to see the grey balls painted brightly as they have done in winchester on some of their posts. We will not get people into andover if there is nothing here to see. I would love us to have a Christmas Market and more colour in general in town, Andover looks so grey.
Wine bars and bistros for the people who would like to eat out bug nit too espensively.A slug and lettuce for example.
In my opinion, the only way to change Andover, is to change the existing Council, get rid of the cabinet system, as they are the ones that make, if not all, but most of the decisions, which in turn affect the town.
We need to keep people and encourage others to use what we have, but in order to do this we have to have more retailers, Andover is expanding and the town centre should grow with it.
I constantly hear that business won’t come to the Town, as their customers don’t! Well those that use Andover now are often those for whom transport is difficult, so they have no choice; those of us that want more and different go elsewhere. You have to speculate to accumulate. If the Town Council cannot control rents and the Centre (which they can’t), then use what they have. The pedestrian area could be a brilliant market, but it needs real thought and management. You need to control the quality and variety of the offering and this will determine the customers. Customers and foot fall are what will attract other businesses into the areas, such as the empty shops and centre. I heard that even Tescos refused to pay the higher rents required. I’d like to see Councils lobbying government to stop the charity shops selling new items, which then takes business away from those paying the right rents and rates. It will take time, but you have the space. Open area cinema, street theatre, food festivals and expansion of the Carnival – go on what’s stopping you?
There should be more clothes shops for all ages & sizes lower the rent do thing that will attract the communitie bring in toy shops not more pubs charity shops & bookies the council need to stop thinking of money & think of the people who live in the town over the years I have seen the market shrink shop close all coz they can’t afford the shops or the pitch seriously wot do we have to do to get thro to the people at the council
Free parking …
I would love a dog park, somewhere dogs can be let off safely to have a good run and play.
The rent in the centre is too high and is poorly managed. If this changed it would attract more business. Why not lend out empty units to local businesses eg. Crafts and art. Like they’ve done in festival place. More restaurants in town. Main Car park should be pay as you leave.
A high street like Winchester would be nice with the same type of shops and a chantry centre with shops like the new parkway in Newbury, if we would combine the 2 area’s then this town would be a number 1 spot to visit in my eyes and keep the ever increasing population of Andover visiting Its such a shame the people that supposedly control the town either have no idea or, just being plain ignorant of what is needed to bring more people into our once thriving town x
Ultimately rent is in the hands of the landlord but business rates are under the control of the council & are just too high. Charity shops seem to be the only growth in the town. There must be at least 8. They occupy good prime units, pay no rates and often sell brand new items competing directly with other local “real” businesses. It’s a mad situation. A covered market is an excellent idea making the experience easier in the regular poor weather we get. Entertainment in the town is poor as is the general infrastructure. Parking charges are relatively high,and for short stays why not have the 1st hour free, encouraging people to pop in to shop. This is one reason people regularly park briefly where they shouldn’t though I’m sure the council love the extra opportunities to impose a penalty notice for more money. Over the years, the council have ripped the heart from Andover and it lacks any real character. Make it easy for entrepreneurs to start up and create a vibrant diverse shopping experience. Staff in the big chains don’t give much of a stuff about customer service but in the independents they know that customers like to be served and most do an excellent job.