The Council will be along shortly

Hart District Council’s annual political reorganisation should begin to clear after the elections on 6^th May but Fleet Town Council will not be able to announce its councillors for a further three weeks.

Under Hart’s constitution, a third of the District Councillors need to stand down each year resulting in district elections every year. In theory, this ensures greater accountability and smoother operations by the Council.

However, because Hart is always controlled by a very narrow majority, this means that it tends to be all hands to the pumps as the various political groups court favour with the electorate in the hope of gaining the one or two seats needed to gain overall control.

Fleet Town Council – along with the other two new parish councils – has sought nominees to stand as parish councillors. All of the new parishes have fewer total nominees than there are seats which means there is no need for an election as they are uncontested.

Yet Fleet is split into four wards and one of these – Pondtail - is over subscribed. Because none of the nominees for Pondtail is prepared to stand for a different ward there must be an election which takes place on Thursday, 27^th May.

The first meeting of the fully constituted Fleet Town Council will take place in early June.

Hart promises business support

Hart District Council underlined its commitment to supporting businesses across the district at the recent Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) held in April. Tim Colman, Regional Director of the Federation of Small Businesses had complained that his role as chairman of the LSP’s Economic Development Forum had been made impossible because of a lack of Council support.

He was reassured by both Cllr Ken Crookes, Leader of the Council, and Geoff Bonner, Chief Executive, that this was not the case and that support would be forthcoming.

Separately, Geoff Bonner has agreed to arrange a meeting with Jonathan Gawthrop, chairman of Fleet Forward, and leading councillors following the election to discuss Hart’s support for businesses in Fleet.

Meanwhile, Fleet Forward has started planning to hold an open forum and conference for all businesses in Fleet based on the theme ‘How Fleet Can Compete’. A date in late June or early July is being considered as this would be after Fleet Town Council has formed since its participation would be an important element.

Makeovers and changes add vibrancy

El Castello, the vibrant Italian Mediterranean restaurant on Fleet Road has received a makeover with the exterior now painted in a distinctive shade of red. The restaurant was previously painted white.

The new colour has brought a welcome splash of bright colour to the local scene with other retailers welcoming the changes.

Further along the high street – at 215 Fleet Road – Cherry Blossoms lingerie shop has recently opened. The warm welcome by the staff along with the bright facade make a welcome change for the site, which had been unoccupied for some time. Owner Karen Finnerty says that business has been brisk since she opened last month.

And 241 Fleet Road has been revitalised with the opening of Andrèa Zuccaro’s latest hairdressing salon. The company aims to produce a group of salons which give good service and good value for money.

Changes & challenges face non-retail

Peyto Law has re-located to Bryslan House in Upper Street from its previous site above Help The Aged at 240 Fleet Road. Louise Humphreys, Peyto’s Sole Principal says that her business remains committed to Fleet but needed an office that would allow the business to expand.

The high rental being sought to renew the lease on the existing offices, combined with uncertainty over development plans were additional considerations. The site of Help The Aged at 240 Fleet Road has been subject to planning applications and appeals based on expanding the Prince Arthur next door and fitting up to six small flats above.

By contrast EDS, which employed some 400 people at its offices on the corner of Fleet and King’s Road, has been absorbed and relocated as part of a corporate restructuring. Several other non-retail businesses along Fleet and King’s Road have also gone during the recession making the eastern entrance to the town a sad sight festooned with boards advertising space for rental.

M&S alters focus

Marks and Spencer’s Simply Food is changing its focus by offering branded goods for sale at its Fleet store at 126 - 129 Fleet Road.

The manager, Andy Taylor, says it will be a welcome change for the stores many customers. M&S Simply Food is currently highlighting its Meals for Two deals which are on sale for limited periods only. The store will have selling the deals twice in May starting on the 13^th and again on the 27^th.

Fleet brochure takes shape

A brochure to highlight Fleet’s retail offering has been taking shape over the past few weeks with several retailers providing feedback on mock-ups. The brochure will focus on Fleet Road with a listing of every retail business.

These will be linked to a map showing the location of the various stores. There will also be details of retail stores on adjacent streets in the town including Reading Road, Victoria Road, Branksomewood Road and King’s Road. A map of car parks in Fleet will also be included.

Fleet benefits from a wide array of both independent and national retailers all seeking to offer the best for their customers often in the face of stiff competition both from large out-of-town shopping centres and – increasingly – from the Internet. However, local shops will only survive as long as customers use them enabling businesses to invest in the future of the town.

A separate information sheet on the brochure will be distributed with the printed version of this newsletter by 9^th May.

Chambers come together

Hart’s local Chamber of Commerce – the North East Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry – disappeared on 1^st April following a merger with two other chambers.

Members of the chamber – along with Portsmouth & South East Hampshire and Southampton & Fareham Chambers – voted unanimously in favour of creating one Chamber covering the whole of Hampshire.

The new entity will retain its regional offices in the short term and will be called the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.