The Shadow Chancellor, Sir Mel Stride, yesterday visited Andover (05/05/2026) to celebrate the town’s thriving independent businesses and underline the importance of strong Conservative leadership ahead of Hampshire’s County Council elections on the 7th of May. He also took a tour of the town’s regeneration sites, helped by the £18.3m Levelling Up Fund grant from the previous Conservative government.
Stride met with local business owner Bev Botha at her successful High Street shop, The Travelling Cupcake, where the pair decorated cakes with some Stronger Economy: Stronger Country edible icing. Bev, who also chairs the Andover Business Improvement District, shared how Conservative-led initiatives helped her grow from a pop-up tenant into a cornerstone of the local economy.
Bev’s journey began with Test Valley Borough Council’s pioneering Pop-Up Shop scheme – giving entrepreneurs the chance to test their ideas with low risk. Over a decade on, her success story continues, with a second shop opening recently at Andover Bus Station.
Ahead of the local elections, the Shadow Chancellor is also warning voters not to risk Andover’s thriving high street by voting for Reform. As it is a two-horse race in Hampshire between Reform and the Conservatives, a vote for any other Party other than the Conservatives risks putting Reform in charge and letting council tax spiral, just as has happened in Worcestershire.
Speaking during the visit to Andover, Sir Mel, who has more than 30-years of business experience, having started businesses from scratch both in the UK and the US, said: “Andover shows what’s possible when local Conservatives back businesses and invest in communities. From pop-up start-ups to thriving high street success stories like Bev’s, combined with the second lowest council tax in England, this is a blueprint for growth that works.”
He added: “A future Conservative government will completely abolish business rates for thousands of shops and pubs on our high streets.”
Discussing the local elections, the Shadow Chancellor said: “Voters in Andover and the rest of Hampshire face a simple choice: Reform or Conservative. Don’t risk Andover’s plan for town centre regeneration by voting for Reform or any other Party on Thursday.”
Stride was joined by Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Phil North, and County Council Conservative candidates, as he toured key regeneration sites including the future theatre development and Western Avenue Riverside Park – projects delivered in partnership with the County Council.
The visit highlighted how investment in infrastructure, support for independent businesses, and low council taxes are revitalising Andover’s town centre – moving away from a one-size-fits-all high street towards a vibrant, locally driven economy.
Leader of Test Valley, Phil North, said: “It was great to welcome Sir Mel to Andover and show him what we are doing to regenerate Andover. Town centres are changing. They’re becoming more of a place for leisure and living as well as retail – and that’s a change we’re embracing. Helped by the £18.3m from the previous government’s Levelling Up Fund we’re creating new theatre in the heart of the town; uncovering the River Anton currently hidden under Western Avenue; and setting the conditions for independent businesses to thrive.”
Bev Botha said: “My journey started with a simple opportunity to try something new through a pop-up shop, and today we’re proud to be part of Andover’s growing high street with a second location opening recently. It hasn’t been easy – small businesses face constant challenges – but with the right support and belief in local enterprise, we can create something really special for our community.”
The visit concluded with a walkabout on the high street and canvassing with Conservative County Candidates for Andover.
With local elections fast approaching, Conservatives say Andover stands as a clear example of what can be achieved with strong local leadership, sound economic management, and a commitment to backing small businesses.