Leisure parks are becoming increasingly strong sources of revenue as inflation remains low and consumers are left with more money in their pockets. As a means of capitalising on this, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has entered into a six month exclusivity partnership with retail property giant NewRiver Retail in order to transform Basingstoke Leisure Park into a modern destination for local residents and visitors.
During the bidding process for the lucrative contract, NewRiver Retail proposed that the existing park should be split into different “zones” as the best way of utilising space within the 45 acre site. The redevelopment process will see different areas created dedicated to entertainment, adrenaline, health, fitness, water-based and speciality, along with a new market square containing space for restaurant units.
In addition, the council wishes to turn an area of water meadow known as Saunders Field into an ecology zone, preserving the existing habitats within the area and helping to meet environmental targets within the local community. Another aspect of the park set to be preserved is the Aquadrome swimming centre, although this will be upgraded and higher and faster water slides will be introduced.
Councillor Clive Sanders, leader of the borough council, believes that the changes to Basingstoke Leisure Park will help to make it a more competitive destination and will keep more money in the local economy by boosting footfall in nearby retail developments.
He says; “If we get the right attractions there, we would have a unique centre that will really bring people in from a long way away. It is money coming into the economy.
“If people are coming here, they might go to Festival Place and The Malls to shop before or after.”
The borough council first advertised for a development partner for the project in June 2013, with the resulting 52 parties who expressed their interest finally being whittled down to just two. Since then, councillors have confirmed that NewRiver Retail’s application was the most desirable and will soon sign the contract to seal the partnership.
NewRiver Retail is seeking a 250 year lease on the leisure park once the redevelopment is completed. This would allow the council to generate around £400,000 per year as the freeholder of the site while the day to day management of the leisure park would be undertaken by its development partner.
Speaking of the partnership agreement with NewRiver Retail, cabinet member for property, finance and commissioning at Baskingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Councillor John Izett, said; “They are a substantial player in the shopping and leisure field.
“It has come to the point where steep change for the leisure park is required – it is an exciting possibility in terms of the scale and how it ranks in comparison with other new ones such as Milton Keynes.
“I think if we can succeed in our ambitions and where it is going, it is going to be very good for Basingstoke and the borough as a whole in terms of visitor numbers coming in and jobs created.”
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