The Fareham town centre regeneration strategy and action plan has started its next phase.

The first two phases involved asking the public what they wanted to see change in Fareham and how they felt about the town.

More than  1,100 residents, businesses, children and parents got involved and the Fareham Borough Council’s leader now expects a bold action plan to be drawn up.

The plan could include better leisure and entertainment facilities; more places to go out and eat and drink; new homes; better parking and a reimagining of retail in the town.

Leader Councillor Seán Woodward said: “I am delighted with the high levels of interest and engagement in the town centre we have seen in the consultations. Residents are passionate about our town centre.

“It is testament to the shared commitment of Fareham’s community to make it the best it can be, and the range of ideas identified pave the way for an exciting future.

“My hope, as I move towards the end of my tenure as leader of the council, is that I leave with a bold action plan in place to create a new sense of purpose and vibrancy for our town centre.”

An upcoming Fareham Borough Council cabinet meeting is set to kick things off by discussing the ideas from the first stages.

Short, medium and a long term strategies are to be discussed with a primary objective of unifying walking between the town centre, the Fareham shopping centre and Fareham Live events centre. 

The ‘quick fix temporary interventions’ include enlivening the walkway linking north/south with colourful installations, pop-up kiosks, enlivening the bandstand, putting up lighting, a pop-up beach, alfresco dining, and an interactive hoarding. 

Everything is up for discussion including car parking, green spaces, housing, decreasing vacant shops, repurposing heritage buildings, focusing on Fareham culture and craft, creating new outdoor market spaces. 

Documents also said shop vacancy is a national issue. Fareham town centre plays an important role in the retail hierarchy, providing a range of shops and facilities but shop vacancy rates are higher than the national average in the town centre at 15 per cent and Fareham shopping centre at 33 per cent while West Street at nine per cent is below the national average.

The council’s housing service has also exchanged contracts to purchase the Birks Building (also known as Foresters Hall) on West Street for housing purposes. 

The Fareham town centre regeneration strategy and action plan is to be agreed by the executive in July 2024.