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 Our high street is struggling, The Malls are outdated, and regeneration plans haven’t delivered the change we need.
This petition calls for a bold, community-focused 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, and a potential new home for Basingstoke Town FC.
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!
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 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 Sainsbury’s and Primark, to smaller units suitable for shops like TUI and Station Barbers. 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.
This isn’t just about the future — it’s also about putting right the past. Basingstoke Town FC was evicted from its historic home at The Camrose in 2019, after over 70 years at the ground. Since then, promises of a return have yet to materialise. Even a visit from the Prime Minister during the 2024 election campaign has led to no visible progress. The stadium now sits abandoned — a symbol of lost heritage and missed opportunities.
Plans were submitted for a new permanent home at Winklebury Football Complex, but the Council’s action since has been slow.
With the demolition of The Malls, there is a possibility to both revitalise our high street while also giving space to an outdoor area that could home BTFC — one that can also host careers fairs, outdoor theatre, summer events, food festivals, and youth activities.
With the demolition of The Malls, there is a possibility to both revitalise our high street while also giving space to an outdoor area that could home BTFC — one that can also host careers fairs, outdoor theatre, summer events, food festivals, and youth activities.
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 our town’s football club, which has waited long enough for a place to call home.
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 a Stakeholder Forum — bringing together councillors, our MP, Basingstoke Town FC, local businesses and residents — to drive real change. This is an all-hands effort to transform our town. No more empty promises — just action.
