FP proves it has the award winning formula

Festival Place has won two awards at Basingstoke’s 20th annual Inspire Business Awards.

It scooped Business and the Community award as well as Large Business of the Year Award at the glitzy event held at Oakley Hall, where the best in business across Basingstoke and Deane was celebrated.

There were 13 awards in total and in winning the Business and the Community award, judges praised how much FP has become an integral part of the community. They said that the team works tirelessly to provide a safe, inclusive, clean, and welcoming environment for all who visit the centre.

Last year FP supported 55 community groups, 11 charities, and hosted 34 community events, demonstrating its commitment to making a positive impact in the local area. It raised £113,675.34 for St Michael’s Hospice through initiatives such as pop-up shops, kilo sales, the Moonlight Walk, Reindeer Run, and the charity wrapping station, Happy Wrappy.

FP also provides premises to the Community Food Link (CFL), a volunteer-run service tackling food waste and supporting those in need, it champions the We Support Deaf Awareness campaign, and became the first shopping centre to launch the Unseen Aware movement. It also continues to prioritise mental health awareness.

FP also won the Large Business of the Year Award because despite the challenges in the retail sector, FP has bucked the trend by increasing footfall.

The judges were impressed by the positive impact the centre has on the town’s residents, the dedication of its team, and the ongoing changes it makes to support both the community and its customers.

Centre Director Vicky Hickson said: “Winning these awards that celebrate business in Basingstoke means a great deal to all of us at FP. We pride ourselves on being at the heart of the town and to be recognised for that fills us with huge pride.

“There are 100 members of staff who work within Festival Place, and we are home to over 2,000 people who work within the stores as well, so a big part of the community. These awards demonstrate that we really do care about our Basingstoke communities.”