A look back at Andover's 2025 in the first six months

January

The year of 2025 began with some big news in the Andover town centre as the Chantry Centre announced that they would be creating three new parent and child parking spaces in the multi-storey car park. The bays were made wider than normal parking spaces to make it easier and safer for parents to get their children out of the car.

A mobile dental service rolled into town. The dental service aimed to help patients who could not access an NHS dentist. The service was praised by the MP for North West Hampshire, Kit Malthouse, as he sought to address the town's shortage of affordable dental care.

Dentaid The Dental Charity (Image: Charles Elliman)

Despite the positive start to the year, the third week of the month saw the introduction of the plans for four industrial units in the village of Picket Piece. The plans by Kier Property Development Ltd and Test Valley Borough Council caused controversy with residents and town councillors.

The following week, MP Kit Malthouse described a new hospital for Basingstoke as 'dead in the water' and called for Basingstoke MP Luke Murphy to resign. Mr Malthouse later stated the construction of the hospital only starting in 2037 was an "absolute disaster for Basingstoke."

The final week of January saw the community come together to save the Stubbington Study Centre. At the time of the reporting in January, 13,000 people had signed the petition. The facility had educated children for the past 90 years and served more than 6,500 people annually.

February

The month of February started with the official closure of Andover's only nightclub, Cameo and Vinyl. The club had been closed since early January as the owners looked to focus on other venues. Residents found that the nightclub's attendance had declined in recent years.

Following the closure of the nightclub, MP Kit Malthouse and farmers across Hampshire descended on parliament to protest the rises in inheritance tax.

MP Kit Malthouse and TVBC Councillor Phil North (Image: Test Valley Borough Council)

The third week of February brought plans for a fresh look to Andover as Test Valley Borough Council, alongside architects Burrell Foley Fischer, released images of a new theatre that would be located in the Chantry Centre. The money for the development came from an £18.3m Levelling Up grant from the government.

In the final week of February, train users were warned to be vigilant as crime in Andover Train Station had increased by 75% in a year.

March

The month of March saw the new theatre remain a topic of debate. Test Valley Borough Council had agreed to a budget of £2.26m for the demolition of Unit 62. Council leader Phil North stated that he found the plans posed minimal risk. Despite an initial objection to the plan, councillors supported Cllr North, who saw a unanimous vote in favour of the budget for the demolition of the Poundstretcher.

The first week of March also saw triumph for Andover New Street FC, who progressed to the semi-finals of the FA Vase following a 1-0 win against Heanor Town, leaving them one game away from a magical trip to Wembley.

In the following weeks of this month, the lower Guildhall welcomed brewing company Powder Monkey into the venue. The company opened its first facility in 2021 in Gosport and has since expanded to four brewing facilities and three hospitality outfits between the UK and Australia.

The month of March ended positively for Andover residents as Stagecoach unveiled its 75 Service, which connected Andover and the surrounding villages to Winchester, offering free rides for more than a month.

April

The start of April, like March, was marked with plans, but this time for a riverside park in Western Avenue. The plan came from a collaboration between Test Valley Borough Council and specialists, who aimed to deliver on community aspirations for more green space in the town centre.

Rick Rahman and Penny Sinclair (Image: Newsquest)

April also saw the disappearance of a mural on Shaw Walk six weeks after it first appeared. To the rescue came an artist dubbed 'Hampshire's Banksy', otherwise known as Hendog has promised to supply a disappointed shop owner with a new piece of art.

On April 12, a fire tore through a house in Wherwell village. The fire drew around 500 firefighters from across the region. They fought through the night, eventually bringing the situation under control. The fire started at 5pm and ended at 11pm.

To end the month of April, it was announced that Andover would receive a trio of investments as part of the final community round of government funding, with key projects in the town centre, health and community spaces all confirmed for support.

May

The month of May began with the 'controversial' approval of a 40-home application in Goodworth Clatford. The decision to approve the proposal drew several objections from residents and councillors alike in a meeting held at the Andover Community Church.

Thursday, May 8, marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The day was marked with a moving tribute to those who served in the Second World War. The tribute included a flag-raising ceremony at the Guildhall, where MP Kit Malthouse attended. Residents shared wartime memories in Andover, and the Andover Community Engage hosted a VE Day party.

The following edition of the Andover Advertiser on May 16, announced the new mayor of Test Valley, Councillor Gordon Bailey MBE. Councillors voted unanimously for his appointment as he took over from Councillor Ian Jeffrey.

Another planning story marked the end of May, as it was announced that works to begin the transformation of the Poundstretcher unit in the Chantry Centre would commence within a few weeks of the report. The project, of course, led by Test Valley Borough Council, would see the site cleared.

June

The month of June started with devastation as a fire broke out on the Dairy Court block of flats in the afternoon. Thirteen fire engines were sent to the scene, evacuating the block with thankfully no casualties. Huge community support was shown in the aftermath.

Dairy Court fire (Image: Jez Rolfe Photography)

The second week of June was marked by Andover Community Engage (ACE) announcing that it needs tens of thousands of pounds to survive, blaming delayed grants by county and borough councils for its state.

Councillors on the third week of the month voted overwhelmingly to officially change a bingo hall into a Muslim place of worship. Mr Mustafah described the place of worship as a "long-term commitment" to local benefit.

To end the month of June, Andover Pride returned for its second year with colour, costumes and a whole lot of fabulousness. Hundreds of people, from the town and beyond, turned up for the event run by the Andover Town Council.