25 signatures reached
To: Basingstoke & Deane Council
Transform Basingstoke: Demolish The Malls and Build a New Future
Basingstoke is a brilliant town with huge potential - but like many places, it’s been hit hard in recent years. Our high street is struggling, The Malls are outdated, we have an over-supply of retail space, and regeneration plans haven’t delivered the change we need.
This petition calls for a bold, community-focused vision that builds on the Council's vision:
Move all commercial units from The Malls into vacant spaces in Festival Place and Top of Town. Then, demolish The Malls and replace them with a new green space for the whole community to enjoy.
Let’s replace broken promises and empty units with something ambitious, exciting and genuinely transformative. Let’s give Basingstoke the future it deserves, led by the community, for the community.
Please sign and show your support today and visit www.transformbasingstoke.com for more information!
Why is this important?
Basingstoke is at a crossroads. Our town centre, once vibrant and full of promise, is now marked by empty units, tired infrastructure, and regeneration plans that haven’t yet delivered real change. While we support Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s long-term vision — especially around green space and multi-purpose use — let’s be honest: it’s not enough.
The Town Centre Masterplan lays important foundations, but the reality is delivery has been slow, and existing plans still treat Basingstoke's shopping centres as if both can be revived. That simply doesn't reflect the scale of the challenge - or the opportunity.
We face a drastic oversupply of retail space. Trying to breathe new life into both Festival Place and The Malls - while expanding into Top of Town - risks diluting investment, scattering footfall, and missing the chance for true transformation.
The Town Centre Masterplan lays important foundations, but the reality is delivery has been slow, and existing plans still treat Basingstoke's shopping centres as if both can be revived. That simply doesn't reflect the scale of the challenge - or the opportunity.
We face a drastic oversupply of retail space. Trying to breathe new life into both Festival Place and The Malls - while expanding into Top of Town - risks diluting investment, scattering footfall, and missing the chance for true transformation.
The Malls are owned by the Council. That means the future of this critical part of the town centre is in their gift. And with Festival Place having gone into receivership in 2023, the second floor now sits largely empty. How can we expect to attract new businesses and investment when our retail core lacks purpose and momentum?
This proposal puts forward a bold but practical solution:
• Relocate the businesses currently in The Malls into the vacant units in Festival Place and Top of Town.
• Demolish The Malls and create a modern, people-centred green space that supports business, culture, sport and wellbeing — all in the heart of Basingstoke.
There are currently around 22 businesses trading in The Malls, while Festival Place has at least 27 vacant units — ranging in size from large anchor spaces like the former Debenhams, to smaller units suitable for the majority of shops in The Malls. Festival Place alone has the capacity to absorb the existing businesses from The Malls — and that’s before even considering the additional space available at the Top of Town.
A vibrant high street will attract new business and investment — from bakers to butchers, cafés to co-working spaces, bookshops to barbers. It’s about creating a place where independent traders thrive alongside well-known brands, where families can spend the day, where culture, convenience and community meet. A successful town centre should offer more than just shopping — it should be a destination, a meeting place, and the beating heart of local life.
A vibrant high street will attract new business and investment — from bakers to butchers, cafés to co-working spaces, bookshops to barbers. It’s about creating a place where independent traders thrive alongside well-known brands, where families can spend the day, where culture, convenience and community meet. A successful town centre should offer more than just shopping — it should be a destination, a meeting place, and the beating heart of local life.
This is a win-win-win — for businesses, who will benefit from increased footfall and investment; for our community, who gain a modern green space and cultural venue; and for Basingstoke, which can once again be a leading example of local regeneration done right.
Let’s be ambitious. Let’s take control of our town’s future. Let’s reimagine Basingstoke — together.
How it will be delivered
This isn’t just a petition, it’s the start of a movement. We’ll present it to B&DC with a call for a public response and action plan. We’re also calling for Basingstoke Transformation Network — bringing together councillors, our MP, local businesses and residents — to drive real change. This is an all-hands effort to transform our town. No more empty promises — just action.
