Borough bounces back!

Retail, leisure and hospitality businesses emerge from lockdown

Eastleigh Borough has seen the green shoots of recovery this spring as businesses, leisure attractions and the hospitality industry emerge from a gruelling year of coronavirus lockdowns and other restrictions.

The Council’s Reopening High Streets Safely campaign - designed to get residents using their local retail centres - has thrown a spotlight on some real gems among the Borough’s shops, restaurants and other services which have all found ways of trading through the COVID crisis. More than a thousand residents responded to a survey to help the Council understand how people feel about their local high streets and retail areas.

The Borough’s performing arts venues went dark and popular wellbeing and fitness facilities were forced to close their doors. Residents will welcome the return of The Point and The Berry Theatres, who are putting together exciting new

programmes, as well as the popular Places Leisure Eastleigh and the revamped Wildern swimming pool.

A summer events programme is being organised and there will be plenty for all the family to do at Itchen Valley and Lakeside Country Parks, which have provided a welcome sanctuary for many people during lockdown.

Meanwhile, the Council is investing more than £1 million in local play areas that are likely to be hugely popular over the summer.

The Borough’s business community has faced unprecedented challenges over the last 14 months and the Council have distributed over £31

million to help keep companies afloat and protect local jobs.

There was more good news when a site next to Southampton Airport was chosen as one of the locations for the new Solent Freeport – a move that could see £2 billion injected into the local economy and created 50,000 new jobs.

Council Leader, Councillor Keith House, said: “As a Council we’re committed to promoting the prosperity of the Borough and it is good to see a year of hard work paying off as businesses welcome back customers – and our muchloved amenities reopen.”

Picture: Residents socialising again at Hedge End’s popular Kettle and Cake café.