A GOOD year for business in Basingstoke in 2004 is set to be followed by another.

That is the view of John Harrocks, the chief executive of the North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Looking back on the past 12 months, Mr Harrocks said: "As most people who live and work in Basingstoke know, the town is an excellent place to be, and to do business in.

"This was again evidenced by the local economy performing well - and I expect a similar performance in the year ahead."

Festival Place, which is one of the UK's top 10 shopping malls, has also played an important role in the success of the economy.

Mr Harrocks said: "The past year has seen Festival Place making its mark on the retail landscape, becoming a magnet for visitors to the town to shop and use the catering and leisure facilities that are offered in abundance."

And its importance to the economy is set to become more of a focus as the chamber and the Basingstoke Town Centre Management team - led by town centre manager Kaye Cousins - gear up to help the retail and leisure areas around Festival Place become a key part of the "Basingstoke experience" - both for visitors and residents.

Mr Harrocks also had praise for Basingstoke council as a catalyst for encouraging economic growth in the region.

He said: "Basingstoke is fortunate in having a forward-thinking and responsive council that recognises the importance of business to the economy and to the future wellbeing of the borough.

"This, in part, explains why there are strong businesses in the town - from multi-nationals that have made their UK or European base here, to the small and medium-sized enterprises in the service and manufacturing sectors that regard Basingstoke as their home."

But like much of the South East, Basingstoke is not without its problems.

Mr Harrocks cited the shortage of skilled key workers to fill posts in all sectors, due to low unemployment and a lack of affordable housing.

He said: "This is being seriously addressed and will be the hot topic for 2005, with the publication of the draft South East Plan early in the new year."

Looking at the role the chamber can play, he added: "Our membership spans the gamut of business types, sectors and sizes.

"One of the most satisfying aspects of being a service provider to these wealth creators is to see new entrepreneurial activity starting up in the area and, in partnership with organisations such as the enterprise agencies, to be able to help them grow."

One of the key strategies for the chamber in the new year will be to work with Basingstoke Town Centre Management to launch a campaign to attract more business and leisure visitors to the town.

But it will also be looking to its wider membership.

Although headquartered in Basingstoke, the chamber stretches from Winchester to Farnborough, Aldershot and the Surrey and Berkshire borders.

Mr Harrocks said: "We will enter 2005 with a programme of networking events, training courses and seminars to support local companies.

"There will be an early focus on broadband to increase awareness of the range of new services that - in addition to higher speeds - are now available from providers such as BT, NTL and others.

"The whole of the UK should be broadband-enabled by mid-2005, following huge investment by BT, and it is up to business to make maximum use of this."

As people look forward to ending the festive season by heralding in a new year, Mr Harrocks said: "Basingstoke has a lot to be proud of and a lot to offer. It is very much open for business."