Test Valley Borough Council have employed retail and property consultants to advise the local authority on the future of retail trends in the town.
London-based Carter Jonas are contracted by the local authority to produce a study to inform a ‘future planning and wider strategy policy’ for Andover until the year 2036.
To develop this process, local traders are invited to the ‘Andover Town Centre Retail Trends Workshop‘ between 6.00-7.00pm on Tuesday 28th November 2017 at Andover Guildhall.
The event is to discuss likely future shopping and buying trends. Organisers are looking for around 25 businesses to attend.
The ultimate objectives of the study are
- Identify how much additional retail floor space could be supported. The consultant will also additionally consider the potential for further: leisure, entertainment, cultural and other town centre uses.
- Current vitality and viability of each town centre (healthcheck)
- Advise on the current state of the retail market and on current and emerging trends and determine their implications- Compare each town centre with comparable centres of a similar size and scope within our LEP area, and more widely across southern England.
- Determine how each town centre should best position itself for the future, for both retail and other functions
In an attempt to engage local businesses, council organisers say that, “In producing the study it is important to complement the statistical analysis with a clear understanding of what town centre businesses think”.
Local businesses who would like to join the discussion are invited to contact dfisher@testvalley.gov.uk and to arrange a place. Refreshments will be provided.
