Borough’s shopping areas set to reopen on Monday 

The council has been working with Festival Place, The Malls and Basingstoke Together Business Improvement District to implement measures for the safe reopening of Basingstoke town centre from Monday as well as supporting other shopping areas across the borough.

A number of measures will be in place in Basingstoke town centre including walking on the left hand side of walkways, an increased cleaning schedule of public areas and signage reminding shoppers what they need to do. Hand sanitising stations will also be available at the Top of the Town and in council-owned car parks.

Visitors using council-owned car parks will be encouraged to use the RingGo app to pay for their parking and other ways to get to the town centre such as walking, cycling and public transport.

To help visitors prepare for their visit to the town centre, we have produced this animation which details the measures that are in place.

Bidding on socially rented properties to restart 

People on the council’s housing register in Basingstoke and Deane will be able to start bidding for social rented homes again from Thursday 2 July. 

In line with the Government’s guidance following the COVID-19 outbreak, our choice based lettings bidding system Homebid was temporarily paused in March.  

But following careful consideration of Government advice and extensive work by the council and housing associations in the area, the advertising and letting of social housing properties to those people on the council’s housing register will start again from Thursday 2 July. The first bidding cycle will run from midnight on Thursday 2 July to midnight on Monday 6 July and resume weekly.

The July start date provides housing associations with the time to ensure the correct procedures for viewing and advertising are in place and gives applicants time to prepare for bidding to start. The council will continue to monitor the system. 

Last year almost 1,000 properties were advertised to applicants who are on the council’s housing register.

For more information on Homebid and important information and frequently asked questions on measures to keep you safe visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/homebid  People can also contact the council by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 01256 844844. 

Contractor appointed for improvements to borough football facility 

A contractor has been appointed to carry out upgrade work at Winklebury Football Complex.

Following the approval to use £152,000 of developer contributions to fund the project in February 2020, SIS Pitches has been appointed to install a new stand and turnstiles, a new public address system, additional fencing and a boardroom. Work to construct the structures offsite has now begun and installation work is expected to be completed in September.

The improvements to the facility will help increase participation in local football by ensuring clubs in the borough are able to play at a higher level (Grade D standard) and follows the completion of a new state-of-the-art artificial pitch which was officially opened in December 2019.

To ensure the safety of contractors during the COVID-19 pandemic, the council and Hampshire Football Association will be making sure that strict social distancing guidelines are maintained during the installation.

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