Top designer leads bid to redesign Eastleigh town centre

Wayne Hemingway, known for his fashion brand Red or Dead, is involved in the ambitious plans for Eastleigh.

He said the town has “significant potential” and is keen for residents to have their say on how to improve it.

“People can say as much or as little as they like; they can write War and Peace if they want to, everything will be read, listened to, and analysed,” he said.

Views are sought on how to spend the funds Eastleigh Borough Council received from the shared prosperity fund.

Both Hemingway and the council want thousands of people to take part in the consultation so a broad range of answers from a large demographic is received.

Market Street, Eastleigh (Image: Newsquest)

Hemingway said: “At HemingwayDesign, our job is to be curators.

“We have experience of doing this all around the country, but the best thing we can ever do is to listen to people.

“We want a real representation of Eastleigh’s residents, and we want to create a vision for the town centre based on what people want.

“We especially want to hear from young people as they feel they do not have a say on things like this, or people who can’t attend in-person meetings for consultations like this.

“We will not stop until we have heard from everybody.”

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Compared to other towns of a similar size, Eastleigh is faring well and already has the advantages of good transport links and public spaces, according to Hemingway.

But he admitted that recognisable brands are not returning to the town, and he is keen to change that.

He said: “Certain things we do know is that the big brands are not coming back to Eastleigh, or any town of that size.

“These businesses want to see towns that are thriving and have culture at their heart.

“They especially want somewhere young people are seen to be out and doing things, being social in their area.”

He added: “Everywhere has potential and Eastleigh has some significant potential.

“It has amazing travel links, a good road networks, the town centre is compact, and there are some great public spaces.

“It already has a head start in that sense.

“In life, you can either moan or be part of making something better and make these places better for future generations. This is a chance for people to do that.”

Make your voice heard by completing the survey at https://www.togetherwemakeeastleigh.co.uk/ by October 20 2024.