Basingstoke Invest in happiness

Basingstoke Invest in happiness

Cover image: Hampshire Story - Maplewood at Chineham Park

There is a place with the talent, potential and determination to thrive.

It is a place reimagining what people value in life and in business: a place for personal and professional growth.

This is Basingstoke and Deane, the boldly ambitious Hampshire borough designed around the happiness and success of its community.

Basingstoke’s time is now

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Invest in happiness

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In Basingstoke and Deane, you are part of an established business ecosystem and a diverse community you can count on. It is a bustling hub of commerce and trade, a place where dreams and ambitions are made.

There are lots of opportunities to be part of Basingstoke’s evolving success story.

The council and its partners are reimagining the town centre’s vibrant future, breathing new life into its flagship business destination and bringing new attractions to its leisure park. All this to keep it a regional draw with a growing portfolio of mixed-use regeneration, retail, residential and commercial development projects to get involved in.

The time to invest in Basingstoke is now.

8th

most levelled-up place in England

185,200

Largest town in Hampshire with a population of 185,200

6,000

additional homes forecast to be built by 2028 Invest in happiness

Image credit: Vitacress UK

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Basingstoke boost: the happy, productive town

Invest in happiness

People are happier in Basingstoke and Deane, it is a fact. The latest survey results show that the resident satisfaction rate is at an impressive 93%, a figure that has remained consistently high in recent years.

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85%

of the population is economically active, compared with the whole of Great Britain at 79%

Top 7%

GVA per hour worked is £50.30, placing Basingstoke in the top 7% in the UK

£761

The average weekly earnings is £761

£350,000

The median house price is £350,000

We focus on making this a place where people can live happily in lively neighbourhoods with lots of great things to do. Happy workers are 13% more productive, and in an era of fierce competition for talent, it has never been more important for businesses to invest in employee wellbeing. With affordable homes, a caring community and fulfilling career opportunities, businesses can get the Basingstoke boost — retaining and attracting a happy, productive workforce.

Invest in happiness

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Connected to opportunities: close to jobs, market and talent

Invest in happiness

Basingstoke and Deane is a place for scale-ups and ambitious entrepreneurs — a place for those who believe employee happiness is key to business success and for those eager to realise their fullest potential and leave a lasting impact.

Did you know?

A new 5G innovation ecosystem, complemented by augmented reality and virtual reality studios, is being created for businesses to explore new immersive technologies.

Basingstoke was one of the first areas/places included in Openreach’s Fibre First Towns Programme, ensuring Basingstoke has the infrastructure in place to meet the future demands of the home and workplace.

Basingstoke was named in the top four UK places for investment by Tech Nation in 2019.

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£6.9 billion

local economy value

7,040

Home to 7,040 businesses

25%

The borough is already home to established businesses such as Eli Lilly and Company, Vitacress, Fujitsu, The AA, Sony, Aecom and Lavazza.

We have the space, connections, and wide-ranging talent for future success, and this is evident in our high start-up success rate of that sees 94.1% of firms surviving their first year.

The borough’s strategic position in north Hampshire creates a magnet for skilled talent. With quick rail links to London and nearby cities and six universities only a short distance away, businesses have a rich talent pool to tap into.

of population aged 20 and under

94.1%

start-up survival rate

£24 million

investment attracted by local companies in last five years Invest in happiness

An excellent location

Situated within easy reach of major urban centres, but without the high overheads, Basingstoke is supported by transport infrastructure that offers superb connectivity.

M4

“Nomios is a high-growth cybersecurity, networking, and IT automation specialist, born and bred in Basingstoke. Our culture is one of looking forwards, being innovative and remembering that it’s okay to fail along the way sometimes, but it’s not okay not to try. In seven years, we have moved four times – always in Basingstoke – to support our employee growth and their productivity with great access to talent within a 20-mile radius, and fabulous train links to both London and the north.”

A303

Richard Butcher, Managing Director, Nomios

SO UT

Well connected London 45 minutes London Heathrow 45 minutes London Gatwick 1 hour Farnborough Airport 25 minutes Southampton Airport 40 minutes Portsmouth port 55 minutes Southampton Freeport 45 minutes 14

A31 A35 B O U R N EM OUTH

M40 OX F OR D

M25 A34

M4

LO N DO N

R E A D I NG HE EAT AT H R ROW OW

A33

NEW B U RY

M3

Basingstoke M3

M23 A3

GATWICK

TH AM PTON

M27 P OR T S M O U T H

Did you know?

Basingstoke is between London and the Solent Freeport in Southampton, with both destinations within 45 minutes’ reach.

Invest in happiness

Austen country: inspirational setting for greater wellbeing

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Invest in happiness

75%

of the land in the borough is agricultural or woodland, of which 33% is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

250-acre

A new 250-acre countryside park is being created in the town

65-acre

The 65-acre flagship business park, Basing View, is a short walk from the town centre and Eastrop Park, which features a large boating lake and walking trails 18

Basingstoke and Deane is a harmonious blend of urban convenience and rural tranquillity. The birthplace of Jane Austen, these are the views that once inspired the acclaimed novelist. Today, the picturesque landscape that surrounds Basingstoke and Deane inspires greater wellbeing.

In Basingstoke and Deane, miles of countryside will take you from screen to green, restoring a healthier balance in work and life.

Explore 226 miles of rolling hills and murmuring streams as you walk and cycle along countryside trails around Whitchurch or breathe in serenity at Beacon Hill, a historical hill fort with expansive views over the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Invest in happiness

“From the very beginning Silchester Farm ticked all the boxes for us: the beautiful location, 18th century farmhouse, original barns and acres of green space for kids and animals to run through.

It has taken a great deal of TLC but a fabulous opportunity to indulge in our passion for creative restoration. We always wanted to create a place people could get together and enjoy… Not just a venue for a wedding or celebration, conference, or team building, but a venue for the community and local people to enjoy all year round.

“Our location provides respite from the faster moving local towns, bringing a rural retreat to our visitors and staff. We strive to support local businesses and work closely with a hand-picked selection of suppliers. We are extremely grateful to have been able to find our dream space within such a prosperous and forward-thinking town.

Transportation links to Basingstoke and Reading ensure that we are easily accessible, while our spacious and unique site offers the opportunity to leave the wider world behind.”

Al and Carla Winsey, Silchester Farm

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“Vitacress Salads has been a part of the Hampshire community for over 70 years, starting with just one acre of watercress beds. As one of Europe’s leading growers and packers of watercress, salads, fresh herbs and vegetables we supply supermarkets with their own-label products and with our nature-friendly, fully recyclable salad bags, Steve’s Leaves. Located on the headwaters of chalk streams, we feel privileged to be the guardians of such a special part of Hampshire, and our long-term environmental plans to become net zero carbon will help us protect these beautiful surroundings.”

Chris Jinks, CEO, Vitacress Invest in happiness

Exciting arts, sports and festivals make for stronger communities

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Invest in happiness

Basingstoke and Deane is a powerhouse of cultural, heritage and leisure activity and its diverse programming is a source of energy and community spirit. From a modern concert hall presenting renowned international symphony orchestras to the annual Basingstoke Festival and Love Basingstoke town centre events programme, there is enough on to uplift anyone.

The place boasts a wealth of sports and leisure clubs catering for a wide and diverse range of activities.

From esports to indoor skydiving, our facilities have helped to produce athletes who compete successfully at national and international level, including in taekwondo, table tennis and dance.

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Inspiring year-round programme

Basingstoke Festival: the annual outdoor arts festival that attracts 6,000 visitors with 80 performances across three weekends Anvil Arts: the largest performing arts organisation in Hampshire operating three remarkable cultural venues in Basingstoke, and presenting world-class artists, comedians and musicians Whitchurch Silk Mill: a working museum in rural Hampshire, preserving traditional weaving techniques Basingstoke Half Marathon: the annual race that attracts 1,000 runners and has a gold rating on RaceCheck

Invest in happiness

Did you know?

Queen Mary’s College was the first esports facility in the UK to include a dedicated yoga room.

The world-famous Bombay Sapphire Gin is produced locally in a quaint former 18th century paper mill and exported to 120 countries. The historic distillery outside Whitchurch is an international visitor attraction.

Highclere Castle, backdrop to the award-winning period drama Downton Abbey, is one of the finest Jacobethan homes still in existence.

The international fashion brand Burberry has its roots in Basingstoke.

Exit 6 Film Festival is an annual international event featuring independent short films from around the world.

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“Basingstoke Academy of Dancing was established in the early 1970s and has grown to train thousands of dancers of all ages and abilities, also supporting many in their professional career development.

“We are proud winners of the Dance School of the Year 2019 and Place to be Proud Of 2022. As part of Team England, we were delighted to have contributed to winning the overall Dance World Cup across 2017-2022.

“Basingstoke is a thriving place for culture and sport, and we look forward to continuing the development of our dance community here.”

Tanya Schipelbaum and Charlotte West, Basingstoke Academy of Dancing

Invest in happiness

Proactive, progressive, pro-business council partner

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Invest in happiness

Now more than ever, investors are looking for a trusted, long-term partner. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council can offer that.

Focused on building a robust economy, the council has already delivered £13 million of investment to kickstart the business district regeneration. More importantly, the council is a major commercial landowner in the town and can offer competitive deals.

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The council’s progressive outlook is fuelling change as it continues to invest in mixed-use town centre regeneration, new sustainable homes, innovative business parks and leisure facilities.

A recent example is the £30 million investment from Longstock Capital in refurbishing Mountbatten House (now ‘Plant’) on the council-owned business park, Basing View. The Grade A building will be BREEAM certified and boast more than 26,000 plants and 80 mature trees. The council also successfully negotiated for The AA headquarters to remain in Basingstoke and move to this building upon completion.

LevertonHELM, one of the largest global manufacturers of lithium carbonate used in car batteries, also signed a 20-year lease on a council-owned Viables Business Park, demonstrating their commitment to Basingstoke.

Furthermore, the council was a key enabler in the Network Rail Training Campus and Sovereign Network Group's headquarters on Basing View.

Invest in happiness

“We have worked with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for a number of years and our relationship has grown stronger and stronger with their ‘can do’ approach to business. We look forward to the next opportunity to work with the council again.”

Oliver Bertram, Head of National Development, Panattoni

“I find the council to be proactive in communicating with businesses in the borough, whether it’s to share future visions and plans, to get feedback from businesses or simply create networking events for people to get to know each other.”

Hossam Ashraf, Former European President, Lavazza Professional

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Did you know?

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is part of a pioneering partnership with global charitable foundation Wellcome Trust, the UK’s leading master developer Urban&Civic, and Hampshire County Council to develop a sustainable new garden community.

The council has ambitious plans to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Invest in happiness

A diverse economy with strong, defined sectors In Basingstoke and Deane we have identified four high growth clusters — geographic concentrations of interconnected businesses, where we can offer competitive prospects.

Image credit: UL Solutions

Other important sectors Health and Care: The largest employer in the borough Construction: The 5th largest employer in the borough Wholesale, Retail and Leisure services: 22% of GVA

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Priority sectors

Detailed data is available relating to your industry and investment interest upon request.

Digital tech Digital and tech has been classed as one of the local economy’s priority sectors due to its high density and economic output, earning Basingstoke the nickname 'Silicon Suburb'. The borough, which was ranked the 4th best UK location for investment by Tech Nation, saw £425m invested in the cyber sector between 2015 and 2018, a figure ahead of Sheffield, Oxford, and Cardiff domestically, and level with Prague, Strasbourg, and San Jose internationally.

Financial and professional services We offer a business location with a wealth of experience.

It is why the AA was one of the first multi-nationals to move here in 1973 and why many businesses have followed, including BNP Paribas and Sun Life Financial.

Whether you are a financial provider looking to locate near like-minded businesses, thinking about where to locate your support functions or looking to improve your operational efficiency, Basingstoke has attracted business in this sector for many years.

Manufacturing and engineering Throughout history, Basingstoke has been the home of many large-scale and famous manufacturers such as Burberry and Thornycroft. In recent history, the borough has continued to grow its manufacturing sector, calling itself home to big names that include Honeywell, Thermo Fisher and De La Rue. With £13.3m funds raised in the last five years, local manufacturing businesses have the resources available for research and development that will bring new innovative products to market.

Pharma and Med-tech Scientific research and development is a sector that is rapidly improving and searching for the solutions to the problems of tomorrow. Many businesses are making Basingstoke their home to facilitate this development, including Eli Lilly and Company, Crescent Pharma, and Genus. With 762 companies and 2,600 employees, this sector forms an important part of the local economy.

Invest in happiness

Investment opportunities Basing View A wide range of investment and development opportunities Basing View is a 65-acre mixed-use business zone situated in the heart of Basingstoke, a short walk from the railway station, town centre, large shopping centre and award-winning park with large boating lake. It also benefits from a modern Village Hotel with a bustling restaurant and bar, pool and gym facilities.

A programme of major redevelopment is transforming Basing View and opening up a wide choice of business space options for companies of all sizes.

One of the best connected and affordable business destinations in the south east, Basing View delivers an attractive combination of convenience, excellent road and rail links, a great working environment and access to a highly skilled workforce.

As the freeholder, the council is playing a key role in helping promote and stimulate new investment in the area and is committed to investing long term in Basing View.

The business district is currently home to more than 180 national and international businesses as well as a growing SME community.

Recent successes include: •

• • •

£30 million investment by new owners Longstock Capital in refurbishing Mountbatten House, now called Plant, creating a modern office environment with targeted BREEAM sustainability rating of outstanding.

The AA have agreed to lease 42,000 sq ft. £3.2 million of public and private investment in a private 5G network and state-of-the-art 5G Living Lab Planning granted for new Grade A offices on Plot J. £12 million refurbishment of Grosvenor House by Arena Offices providing flexible Grade A accommodation.

Current occupiers include: • • • • • • • 36

Network Rail Waitrose Eli Lilly and Company ENI The AA Sun Life of Canada Unum

• • • • • • •

WSP Wates Ministry of Defence Sovereign Housing Association Penningtons Manches Cooper Castle Trust Bank Genus

New Grade A offices are planned or being developed to meet current and future demand in the Thames Valley and M3 corridor, and a variety of sites and redevelopment opportunities are available.

Fanum House This redevelopment site on Basing View’s central mixed-use estate offers a unique opportunity to acquire a key location in central Basingstoke.

•

• •

Substantial potential to repurpose/ redevelop the existing asset, suitable for various alternative uses.

Large central site totalling 7.8 acres (3.2 ha).

Opportunity to acquire a new long leasehold interest to be granted by the freeholder, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Other opportunities available: Plot

Plot area (hc)

Existing use

Development potential (sq ft)

C (development site)

0.3

Vacant

Residential

TBC

K (development site)

0.3

Demolished office building

Office

53,690

J (Former Norden House)

0.8

Demolished office building

Office

45,000

Car park between Fanum and Hotel

0.54

Vacant

Residential

TBC

V (Lower Basing View)

0.36

Temporary car parking

Office

50,000

For more information, please contact Martin.JonesPS@basingstoke.gov.uk, Head of Property and Assets.

Invest in happiness

Basingstoke Leisure Park New masterplan for central leisure hub Situated on 60 acres of land near the town centre and owned freehold by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, this site offers a range of investment and development opportunities as part of an adopted masterplan.

The council is looking for private sector partners to take up development opportunities and add exciting new facilities and uses to the existing leisure offer, which includes: • •

iFly Indoor Skydiving: indoor skydiving facilities.

Milestones Museum: an award-winning immersive Victorian to modern living history museum with more than 20,000 objects.

• Planet Ice rink: an ice skating rink.

• Odeon Cinema: a 10-screen cinema complex showing the latest releases with both 2D and 3D format.

• Aquadrome: a council-led opportunity to create a modern health and fitness facility, including a larger competition swimming pool, learner pool and leisure pool, modern fitness suite, exercise studios, a spinning studio, a multi-level soft play zone and indoor adventure climbing – designed to attract users from across the region.

• Hollywood Bowl: bowling alley.

• Buzz Bingo: a bingo club.

• Various restaurants and takeaways.

In February 2024, the council agreed an ‘in principle’ deal with Great Wolf Resorts to allow the leisure operator to progress proposals for a new attraction on land at Basingstoke Golf Centre.

The proposed resort could feature a 500-bedroom hotel, an indoor water park, conference facilities, and leisure offerings including mini-golf, mini-bowling, ropes course, games arcade and selection of restaurants, cafés and bars, subject to planning permission.

Find our more about Basingstoke Leisure Park masterplan at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/LeisureParkProposal For enquiries about Basingstoke Leisure Park, please contact James.Mercer@basingstoke.gov.uk, Development Manager

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Basingstoke town centre Development opportunities near train station and large shopping centre Located on the doorstep of Basingstoke train station, the town centre attracts local and regional shoppers. The area includes The Malls shopping centre that is owned by the council, the historic Top of the Town and Festival Place which is home to 150 stores, 200 big brands and 35 restaurants, bars and cafés.

A masterplan has been drawn up to set the future direction for the town centre over the coming decades to ensure it is a vibrant hub.

Town centre masterplan Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has been working with designers, architects and property specialists to develop an ambitious strategy for the future of the area.

The masterplan includes the creation of new high quality and low carbon urban areas, providing opportunities for a range of uses in addition to retail, including space for community and cultural use, space for entrepreneurs and education, as well as celebrating the borough’s rich heritage.

Adopted by the council in December 2022, the masterplan supports the council’s challenging climate change targets and includes plans to improve accessibility by enhancing the road network.

The council is looking for potential partners who are interested in bringing the masterplan to life.

Find out more about the vision and masterplan at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/TownCentreFuture For enquiries about the town centre future, please contact Sarah.Longthorpe@basingstoke.gov.uk, Director of Regeneration

Invest in happiness

The Civic Campus An ideal opportunity for a public sector organisation or higher education provider.

The current Civic Campus is a potential redevelopment site of 2.6 acres with a setting overlooking War Memorial Park in a conservation area and located near the high street. Located 1.5 miles from junction 6 of the M3 motorway, it is next to War Memorial Park, a popular event location and beautiful historic Georgian park with a large, new BMX/ skatepark, bandstand, aviary, sports pitches and all-weather tennis courts.

The site currently houses the 35,000 sq ft Deanes building, the 30,000 sq ft Parklands building and the listed 7,500 sq ft Goldings building, and includes 128 parking spaces.

Across the road from the Civic Campus is Eastlands l with 10,487 sq ft internal floor area and Eastlands ll with 4,321 sq ft. The Eastlands car park includes 170 parking spaces and electric vehicle charging points.

For more information, please contact Martin.JonesPS@basingstoke.gov.uk, Head of Property and Assets.

The total internal floor area available as part of this opportunity is just under 90,000 sq ft and 300 parking spaces.

Higher education campus opportunity Basingstoke and Deane is the area in the south of England, within easy reach of London, where there currently is very limited higher education provision.

Yet, with the local further education colleges attracting 6,000 students per year, the majority of whom leave the area in search of higher education opportunities further afield, there is great untapped potential.

Basingstoke can offer a range of good value options for a campus location and for student and staff accommodation, as it is in one of the most affordable areas in north Hampshire and Berkshire.

There is a growing momentum behind Basingstoke’s evolving success story. The council and its partners are reimagining the town centre’s vibrant future, breathing new life into existing assets and bringing new attractions to its leisure park. All this is focused on ensuring the town remains a regional draw with a growing portfolio of mixed-use regeneration, retail, residential and commercial development projects available for inward investment.

A university campus is part of this future, and the council is ready to invest with the right partner to make this ambition a reality.

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For more information, please contact Rebecca.Emmett@basingstoke.gov.uk, Deputy Chief Executive.

North Manydown Garden community development opportunity.

A transformational new garden community offering a range of residential-led development opportunities with outline planning consent for 3,520 new homes, community facilities and a 250-acre countryside park.

Master developer Urban&Civic is leading the delivery of Manydown on behalf of a partnership with global charity Wellcome Trust and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council, as joint landowners.

Find out more by contacting andrew.reynolds@basingstoke.gov.uk, Project Director (Manydown) & Chief Operating Officer MGC LLP Visit www.ManydownLife.co.uk

South Manydown Potentially one of the most significant strategic development opportunities in the south.

The opportunity to create an exceptional mixed-use development within 700 hectares of well-planned, sustainable net zero carbon communities of around 8,600 new homes.

Forming a new gateway for Basingstoke, situated adjacent to Junction 7 of the M3 motorway, these regional facilities could include a state-of the-art health care campus to serve people across north and mid-Hampshire and a new strategic employment area, creating around 6,700 new jobs, supported by enhanced digital infrastructure including a fibre spine link to enable tech-led industries and innovators to grow their businesses.

As joint landowners, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council are working with the Society of Merchant Venturers as an adjacent landowner to promote and bring forward this opportunity.

Find out more by contacting andrew.reynolds@basingstoke.gov.uk, Project Director (Manydown) & Chief Operating Officer MGC LLP Visit www.ManydownBasingstoke.co.uk Invest in happiness

Basingstoke boost: the happy productive town

Austen country: inspirational setting for greater wellbeing

Exciting arts, sports and festivals make for stronger communities

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Proactive, progressive, pro-business council partner

Connected to opportunities: close to jobs, market, talent

Basingstoke’s time is now: join the next generation

Invest in happiness

Get in touch

Our friendly Economic Development team looks forward to supporting you on your investment journey.

Utilising our expert local knowledge, we will help with:

Your property search Specialist economic data and analyses relating to your industry Recruitment and training Making introductions to the business community Connecting your business to growth support Co-ordinating with our internal teams to make your move as smooth as possible Promotion following your move to Basingstoke

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Email

invest@basingstoke.gov.uk Invest In Basingstoke

LoveBasingstoke.co.uk/invest

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