The multi-million pound regeneration project at Basing View in Basingstoke received a huge boost when Waitrose and John Lewis committed to construct a new supermarket and John Lewis at Home store within the Basing View business area.
Construction is well underway of the new building, which will comprise the 47,500 sq ft John Lewis at Home store, a 25,500 sq ft Waitrose store and a customer cafe, as well as car parking for 400 cars.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s regeneration partner, Muse Developments, are certain that the new retail development will act as a major attraction to potential new occupiers in the business area. Regional director for Muse Developments, Mike Auger, commented: “The John Lewis and Waitrose store represents the Muse and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council aspirations for Basing View. The store provides a high quality retain amenity as well as acting as a solid platform on which further exciting development can be based.”
Together with the construction of a new 150,000 sq ft campus for Network Rail at the eastern end of Basing View, the commitment of such a high profile retailer is evidence of the growing confidence of major companies in the future success of Basing View. Cllr John Izett, Cabinet Member for Property, Finance and Commissioning, estimates that the new development will bring an increase of around £4.5 million per annum for the local ecomony.
As a base for business, Basingstoke is already home to SMEs and multi-nationals alike with scores of businesses having discovered the many advantages of a Hampshire location and specifically serviced offices in Basingstoke, convenient for London and within reach of national and international transport links, but without the price tag.
