A PUBLIC event to appoint a new town crier for Andover will no longer go ahead after the borough council refused plans for an event in the town centre. 

Andover town mayor Cllr David Coole, who is also the director of Our Andover CIC, said a competition to find the new town crier will still go ahead “albeit in a different format”.

A town crier is a person who would traditionally be employed to make public announcements in the streets or marketplace of a town.

The competition, which was originally planned for November 6, will now be held on a new date with fewer planned activities.

READ MORE: Competition to find and appoint a ‘town crier’ for Andover

Cllr Coole said: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, we were unable to proceed with the planned Andover Town Crier Competition. TVBC has decided to refuse permission to allow the High Street to be used for the amazing activities planned alongside the Town Crier Competition.

“Sadly, the only ones losing out are town centre businesses from loss of trade, stall holders, entertainers, thousands of residents and visitors being denied their right to witness a historic and prestigious free-to-public event, plus all the dignitaries who had accepted our invitation to the event.”

Cllr Coole said Andover’s last town crier sadly died in 2005 and a successor was not appointed by TVBC.

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In 2012, a TVBC overview and scrutiny Committee recommended the restoration of the Andover town crier position to help promote Andover, Cllr Coole said.

“Fast forward to 2022 and with neither the town nor borough council wanting to undertake the town crier responsibility themselves, Our Andover CIC agreed to take it on," Cllr Coole said. 

“The borough council says it wants to promote Andover and have more town centre events, so it is disappointing they are not publicly and proactively supporting this. Whilst we and many others believe the borough council’s decision is short-sighted, it is what it is and we need to remain positive and keep moving forward if we are to continue promoting Andover and delivering much-needed improvements.”

In August this year, Cllr Coole’s motion on spending £4,000 to organise the competition and appoint a town crier was rejected also by the Andover Town Council.

A Test Valley Borough Council spokesperson said: "We understand that Our Andover is disappointed with the decision not to approve their application to host a town crier competition in Andover High Street. There were several reasons for this, including Andover Town Council's decision to vote against Cllr Coole’s motion to establish a Town Crier. There is also no substantial evidence of wider public support for a town crier.

“If Our Andover was to get the support of Andover Town Council and prove that there was public interest in holding such an event, then we would reconsider the application.

“We are keen to continue to work closely with Our Andover and other partners to offer a wide range of high-quality events for the town, to increase footfall and support our local businesses."