The scaffolding surrounding the Ladbrokes building on Andover High Street has now stood for more than three years. What began as a necessary safety measure has become a long-term blot on the town centre, frustrating residents, traders, and visitors alike.
An image of the High Street today shows what many see daily: steel poles and barriers dominating one of Andover’s most visible retail frontages, with no sign of progress behind them.
The Key Parties Involved
The building is owned by Entain, the parent company of Ladbrokes, which has overall responsibility for its maintenance and safety. The structure itself is listed, meaning any repair or restoration work must comply with strict heritage and building control requirements.
Entain, which reported global net gaming revenue exceeding £4 billion in 2024, remains one of the UK’s most profitable leisure companies. Yet its Andover property has stood behind scaffolding for more than three years, with no confirmed start date for repairs – an ongoing situation that appears at odds with the company’s stated commitment to “strong local brands.”
Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) has acted as the coordinating authority, liaising with Entain and ensuring compliance with statutory safety obligations while pressing for the scaffolding’s removal.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Development | Source |
|---|---|---|
| June 2022 | Scaffolding erected after fears that the building’s front façade could collapse. | Entain / TVBC background |
| July 2023 | Early estimates suggested repairs could be complete, but no visible progress was made. | Verified from earlier statements |
| November 2023 | TVBC stated that work would begin, with a 16-week schedule aiming for completion by March 2024. | Test Valley Borough Council |
| February 2024 | Entain’s next update gave a revised completion date of July 2024. | Entain |
| June 2025 | TVBC confirmed that the latest update from Entain’s contractor predicted removal by end of August 2025. | testvalley.gov.uk |
| October 2025 | Scaffolding remains in place, with no work visible on site. | Love Andover site observation |
The Story So Far
When the scaffolding first went up in June 2022, the move was widely supported as a precaution to protect pedestrians and stabilise a structure at risk. However, what was expected to be a short-term measure has now become part of the High Street itself.
Businesses along the parade have expressed frustration, saying the prolonged obstruction has reduced visibility for shopfronts and created an unwelcoming impression in one of Andover’s busiest areas.
Multiple completion dates have come and gone, with Entain citing the complexity of the repairs, contractor challenges, and the listed status of the property as reasons for ongoing delays.
Test Valley Borough Council has repeatedly stated that it continues to apply pressure on the owners to complete the work and restore the building’s appearance.
Entain’s Response
In response to Love Andover’s questions, Entain provided this official statement:
“This is an extremely complex project involving a listed building with a façade deemed at risk of collapse.
“As a result, we took all necessary precautions to safeguard the building including the scaffolding, which has been inspected and fully complies with all statutory requirements. Final works are set to begin shortly.”
When asked to clarify the meaning of “shortly”, Entain said the company would not provide a specific start date, citing variables outside its control and the risk of causing further frustration should delays continue.
Awaiting the Council’s Reply
Love Andover has contacted Test Valley Borough Council to request an update on the latest position – including whether any new start or completion dates have been agreed, and what enforcement powers the council can exercise if deadlines are repeatedly missed.
At the time of publication, no response had been received. This article will be updated once a statement is provided.
Where Things Stand
Three years on, the scaffolding remains a daily reminder of stalled progress on one of Andover’s most prominent High Street buildings. While both Entain and TVBC stress the complexity of the project, patience among local traders and residents has understandably worn thin.
For now, Andover continues to wait – and watch – for the first sign of movement behind the scaffolding.
